Gram-negative alkaliphilic microorganisms

ABSTRACT

Gram-negative bacteria, which are obligate alkaliphiles, have been isolated from samples of soil, water and sediment and a number of other sources obtained from in and around soda lakes. These bacteria have been analyzed according to the principles of numerical taxonomy with respect to each other, as well as to a variety of known bacteria. In addition, these bacteria are further circumscribed by an analysis of various chemotaxonomic characteristics. The bacteria produce various alkali-tolerant enzymes which may be used in various industrial processes requiring such enzymatic activity in a high pH environment.

This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 08/046,878, filed Apr. 8, 1993, (allowed) which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 07/903,786, filed Jun. 24, 1992, (U.S. Pat. No. 5,401,657), which is a continuation in part of application Ser. No. 07/719,307, filed Jun. 24, 1991, (abandoned), which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 07/562,863, filed Aug. 6, 1990, (abandoned).

The present invention is in the field of microbiology and more particularly in the field of alkaliphilic microorganisms.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Alkaliphiles are defined as organisms which exhibit optimum growth in an alkaline pH environment, particularly in excess of pH 8, and generally in the range between pH 9 and 10. Alkaliphiles may also be found living in environments having a pH as high as 12. Obligate alkaliphiles are incapable of growth at neutral pH.

Alkaliphiles may be found in such everyday environments as garden soil, presumably due to transient alkaline conditions caused by biological activity such as ammonification, sulphate reduction or photosynthesis. A much richer source of a greater variety of alkaliphilic organisms may be found in naturally occurring, stable alkaline environments such as soda lakes.

A more detailed study of soda lakes and alkaliphilic organisms in general is provided in Grant, W. D., Mwatha, W. E. and Jones, B. E. ((1990) FEMS Microbiology Reviews, 75, 255-270), the text of which is hereby incorporated by reference. Lists of alkaline soda lakes may be found in the publications of Grant, W. D. and Tindall, B. J. in Microbes in Extreme Environments, (eds. R. A. Herbert and G. A. Codd); Academic Press, London, (1986), pp. 22-54; and Tindall, B. J. in Halophilic Bacteria, Volume 1, (ed. F. Rodriguez-Valera); CRC Press-Inc., Boca Raton, Fla., (1988), pp. 31-70, both texts are also hereby incorporated by reference.

Alkaliphiles, the majority of which are Bacillus species, have been isolated from non-saline environments and are discussed by Horikoshi, K. and Akiba, T. in Alkalophilic Microorganisms (Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, N.Y., (1982)). However, alkaliphilic organisms from saline and alkaline environments such as lakes are not discussed therein. Strictly anaerobic bacteria from alkaline, hypersaline, environments have been recently described by Shiba, H. in Superbugs (eds. K. Horikoshi and W. D. Grant); Japan Scientific Societies Press, Tokyo and Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, N.Y., (1991), pp. 191-211; and by Nakatsugawa. N., ibid, pp. 212-220.

Soda lakes, which may be found in various locations around the world, are caused by a combination of geological, geographical and climatic conditions. They are characterized by the presence of large amounts of sodium carbonate (or complexes thereof) formed by evaporative concentration, as well as by the corresponding lack of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ which would remove carbonate ions as insoluble salts. Other salts such as NaCl may also concentrate resulting in environments which are both alkaline and saline.

Despite this apparently harsh environment, soda lakes are nevertheless home to a large population of prokaryotes, a few types of which may dominate as permanent or seasonal blooms. The organisms range from alkaliphilic cyanobacteria to haloalkaliphilic archaeobacteria. Moreover, it is not unusual to find common types of alkaliphilic organisms inhabiting soda lakes in various widely dispersed locations throughout the world such as in the East African Rift Valley, in the western U.S., Tibet, China and Hungary. For example, natronobacteria have been isolated and identified in soda lakes located in China (Wang, D. and Tang, Q., "Natronobacterium from Soda Lakes of China" in Recent Advances in Microbial Ecology (Proceedings of the 5th International Symposium on Microbial Ecology, eds. T. Hattori et al.); Japan Scientific Societies Press, Tokyo, (1989), pp. 68-72) and in the western U.S. (Morth, S. and Tindall, B. J. (1985) System. Appl. Microbiol., 6, 247-250). Natronobacteria have also been found in soda lakes located in Tibet (W. D. Grant, unpublished observations) and India (Upasani, V. and Desai, S. (1990) Arch. Microbiol., 154, pp. 589-593).

Alkaliphiles have already made an impact in the application of biotechnology for the manufacture of consumer products. Alkali-tolerant enzymes produced by alkaliphilic microorganisms have already found use in industrial processes and have considerable economic potential. For example, these enzymes are currently used in detergent compositions and in leather tanning, and are foreseen to find applications in the food, waste treatment and textile industries. Additionally, alkaliphiles and their enzymes are potentially useful for biotransformations, especially in the synthesis of pure enantiomers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides pure cultures of novel aerobic, Gram-negative alkaliphilic bacteria. These bacteria have been isolated from samples of soil, water, sediment and a number of other sources, all of which were obtained from in and around alkaline soda lakes. These alkaliphiles have been analyzed according to the principles of numerical taxonomy with respect to each other and also to a variety of known bacteria in order to confirm their novelty. In addition, these bacterial taxa are further circumscribed by an analysis of various chemotaxonomic characteristics.

The present invention also provides data as to the composition of the environments from which the samples containing the microorganisms were obtained, as well as the media required for their efficient isolation and culturing such that one of ordinary skill may easily locate such an environment and be able to isolate the organisms of the present invention by following the procedures described herein.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide microorganisms which produce useful alkali-tolerant enzymes, as well as methods for obtaining substantially pure preparations of these enzymes. These enzymes are capable of performing their functions at high pH which makes them uniquely suited for applications requiring such extreme conditions. For example, alkali-tolerant enzymes may be employed in detergent compositions, in leather tanning and in the food, waste treatment and textile industries, as well as for biotransformations such as the production of pure enantiomers.

The genes encoding these alkali-tolerant enzymes may be isolated, cloned and brought to expression in compatible expression hosts to provide a source of larger volumes of enzyme products which may be, if desired, more easily purified and used in various industrial applications, should the wild-type strain fail to produce sufficient amounts of the desired enzyme, or does not ferment well.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIGS. 1A and 1B. Simplified dendrogram showing clusters (phenons) obtained with the S_(G) coefficient and Unweighted Average Linkage procedure.

FIGS. 2A and 2B. Simplified dendrogram showing clusters (phenons) obtained with the S_(J) coefficient and Unweighted Average Linkage procedure.

FIG. 3. Simplified dendrogram obtained with the S_(G) coefficient and Unweighted Average Linkage procedure using the derived minimum discriminatory tests.

FIG. 4. A chart showing the relationship of the newly described species of bacteria with known species.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Sampling

Several hundreds of strains of bacteria have been isolated from samples of soil, water, sediment and a number of other sources in and around alkaline lakes. These samples were obtained as part of an investigation over a period of three years. The isolated bacteria are non-phototrophic eubacteria. Up until now, such bacteria have not been well characterized.

The samples were collected in sterile plastic bags. Sampling was conducted at lakes Elmenteita, Nakuru, Bogoria, Crater (Sonachi), Little Naivasha (Oloidien), Magadi, and Little Magadi (Nasikie Engida), all of which are located in Kenya, East Africa. Alkaline soda lakes having similar environments may also be found in Tibet, China, Hungary and the western U.S. At each sampling site, physical parameters such as pH, conductivity and temperature were measured as well as the physical appearance of the site and the sample. Some of the samples were treated locally within 36 hours of collection of the sample but the majority were examined off-site, several weeks after collection.

Table 1 lists various strains which have been isolated. The strains are listed according to the location from which the sample was taken, the physical appearance of the sample itself and a reference to Table 2 which provides the chemical analysis of the lake water samples.

Table 3 provides a list of the isolated strains arranged according to the results of the numerical taxonomic analysis. Furthermore, Table 3 provides physical properties of the sample, in particular the temperature, conductivity and alkaline pH, as well as the numerous isolation media required for obtaining pure cultures of the new bacteria. These media are letter coded with reference to Appendix A.

Tables 1, 2 and 3 provide data from which the environment of the sampling locations may be characterized. The chemical and physical analysis of the samples confirm the presence of alkaline pH, as well as the presence of unusually high levels of Na₂ CO₃, coupled with low levels of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺.

No chemical analysis is available for mud samples. Furthermore, no chemical analysis is available for a few samples (see Table 1). However, other samples taken at the same location have been analyzed and are described in Tables 1-3. It is known that the basic environments of soda lakes are stable with respect to their pH and ionic composition. Moreover, the microbial populations found at these sites remain largely stable. Thus, it is to be expected that despite the lack of a chemical analysis of certain samples, the environment from which the bacteria were obtained may nonetheless be determined from the data presented in Tables 1-3.

The fresh soda-lake water samples were plated out on an alkaline nutrient medium (Medium A) soon after collection. Microscopic inspection showed an unexpectedly high diversity of bacterial types. Considering the extremely alkaline nature of the environment, viable counts showed unexpectedly high numbers of organotrophic bacteria, in the range of 10⁵ -10⁶ colony forming units per ml. The samples were stored either cooled or at ambient temperatures. After a few weeks' storage, the total numbers of bacteria in the sample rose, whereas the diversity of types decreased.

                  TABLE 1                                                          ______________________________________                                         Alkaliphilic Strains Arranged According to Their Place of Origin                        SAMPLE       SAMPLE       ANALYSIS                                    STRAINS  LOCATION     APPEARANCE   (Table 2)                                   ______________________________________                                         1E.1, 2E.1,                                                                             Lake Elmemteita                                                                             Mud from dried up                                                                           N.R.                                        4E.1, 5E.1,                                                                             (east bay)   lake bed                                                 35E.2, 36E.2,                                                                  37E.2, 38E.2                                                                   wE.5, wEl1,                                                                             Lake Elmenteita                                                                             Sediment and water,                                                                         N.T.                                        wE12     (east bay)   littoral zone.                                           39E.3, 40E.3,                                                                           Lake Elmemteita                                                                             Mud and water,                                                                              1                                           41E.3, 42E.3,                                                                           (east bay)   littoral zone.                                           44E.3, 53E.4,         Spirulina scum.                                          56E.4                                                                          45E.3, 47E.3,                                                                           Lake Elmenteita                                                                             Brown water  2                                           57E.4    swamp, south-                                                                               and sediment                                                      east arm                                                              48E.3, 58E.4                                                                            Lake Elmenteita                                                                             Grey mud     2                                                    swamp, south-                                                                  east arm                                                              59E.4    Lake Elmenteita,                                                                            Water and sandy                                                                             3                                                    (north-west bay)                                                                            sediment, littoral                                                             zone                                                     16N.1, 17N.1,                                                                           Lake Nakuru, Mud and water,                                                                              N.T.                                        18N.1, 19N.1,                                                                           north beach  littoral zone.                                           20N.1, 26N.1,                                                                           between Hippo                                                         28N.1, wN1,                                                                             Point and Njoro                                                       wN2, 2Nk1,                                                                              Point.                                                                wNk2.                                                                          49N.3, 50N.3,                                                                           Lake Nakuru, Water column,                                                                               4                                           61N.4    north beach  littoral zone.                                                    between Hippo                                                                  Point and Njoro                                                                Point.                                                                51N.3, 52N.3,                                                                           Lake Nakuru, Lake sediment,                                                                              4                                                    north beach  littoral zone.                                                    between Hippo                                                                  Point and Njoro                                                                Point.                                                                63N.4    Lake Nakuru; Mud and water                                                                               N.T.                                                 water hole, SW                                                                 salt flats.                                                           6B.1, 7B.1,                                                                             Lake Bogoria,                                                                               Mud and water,                                                                              N.T.                                        8B.1, 9B.1,                                                                             northern mud littoral zone.                                           10B.1, 24B.1.                                                                           flats.                                                                25B.1, wB1,                                                                    wB2, wB4,                                                                      wB5                                                                            wBn4                                                                           64B.4    Lake Bogoria,                                                                               Dried crust of                                                                              N.R.                                                 northern mud soda mud.                                                         flats.                                                                65B.4    Lake Bogoria,                                                                               Mud at water 5                                                    norther mud  line                                                              flats.                                                                wBs4     Lake Bogoria,                                                                               Mud and water,                                                                              N.T.                                                 south-west   littoral zone.                                                    shore.                                                                11C.1, 12C.1,                                                                           Crater Lake, Mud and water,                                                                              N.T.                                        29C.1,   North point  littoral zone.                                           73aC.4,  Crater Lake, Mud and water,                                                                              6                                           73bC.4,  North point  littoral zone.                                           74C.4                                                                          75C.4    Crater Lake, Soad-mud, shore                                                                             N.R.                                                 North point  line.                                                    77LN.4,  Little Lake  Water column 7                                           78LN.4   Naivasha,    and sediment                                                      south shore.                                                          21M.1, 22M.1,                                                                           Lake Magadi, Mud and water                                                                               N.T.                                        27M.1    causeway upper                                                                 western arm.                                                          92LM.4,  Little Lake  Spring water and                                                                            8                                           92LM.4   Magadi, north-                                                                              sediment                                                          west springs.                                                         ______________________________________                                          N.T. = not tested                                                              N.R. = not relevant                                                      

                                      TABLE 2                                      __________________________________________________________________________     Chemical Analysis of Kenyan Soda Lake Waters                                         Na.sup.+                                                                          K.sup.+                                                                           Ca.sup.2+                                                                         Mg.sup.2+                                                                         SiO.sub.2                                                                         PO.sub.4.sup.3-                                                                    Cl.sup.-                                                                          SO.sub.4.sup.2-                                                                    CO.sub.3.sup.2-                                                                    TON*                                       ANALYSIS                                                                             (mM)                                                                              (mM)                                                                              (mM)                                                                              (mM)                                                                              (mM)                                                                              (mM)                                                                               (mM)                                                                              (mM)                                                                               (mM)                                                                               (mM)                                                                               TA§                               __________________________________________________________________________     1     196                                                                               3.58                                                                              0.07                                                                              b.l.d.                                                                            2.91                                                                              0.03                                                                               65.1                                                                              2.0 68.0                                                                               0.8 119                                    2     140                                                                               3.32                                                                              0.48                                                                              0.13                                                                              1.85                                                                              0.02                                                                               46.8                                                                              1.7 32.0                                                                               1.2  86                                    3     167                                                                               3.32                                                                              0.06                                                                              b.l.d.                                                                            3.10                                                                              0.03                                                                               51.8                                                                              1.7 64.0                                                                               2.2 103                                    4     326                                                                               5.63                                                                              0.15                                                                              b.l.d.                                                                            3.25                                                                              0.15                                                                               57.5                                                                              0.5 198.3                                                                              1.9 259                                    5     735                                                                               5.50                                                                              0.21                                                                              0.01                                                                              2.23                                                                              0.09                                                                               100.9                                                                             1.0 476.7                                                                              0.9 612                                    6     140                                                                               8.95                                                                              0.06                                                                              0.01                                                                              2.13                                                                              0.04                                                                               12.4                                                                              0.8 90.0                                                                               1.1 133                                    7      8.7                                                                              1.79                                                                              0.28                                                                              0.65                                                                              1.02                                                                              0.003                                                                              4.8                                                                               0.5 <10.0                                                                              <0.07                                                                               18                                    8     483                                                                               4.35                                                                              0.03                                                                              0.03                                                                              0.64                                                                              0.08                                                                               157.8                                                                             1.7 166.0                                                                              1.2 105                                    __________________________________________________________________________      b.l.d. = below the limits of detection                                         *TON = Total Organic Nitrogen                                                  §TA = Total Alkalinity in milliequivalents/liter                    

                                      TABLE 3                                      __________________________________________________________________________     Origin of the Strains Arranged by Cluster*                                                SAMPLE                                                                                     Temp.                                                                              Conductivity                                                                         ISOLATION                                     CLUSTER                                                                              STRAIN                                                                              LOCATION                                                                              pH   °C.                                                                         mS/cm MEDIUM                                        __________________________________________________________________________     1   1E.1.sup.CT                                                                           Elmenteita                                                                             9.5 35  n.t.  A                                             1   2E.1   Elmenteita                                                                             9.5 35  n.t.  A                                             1   wB2    Bogoria                                                                               n.t. n.t.                                                                               n.t.  A                                             1   wB5    Bogoria                                                                               n.t. n.t.                                                                               n.t.  A                                             1   wBs4   Bogoria                                                                               10.5 n.t.                                                                               19    A                                             1   10B.1  Bogoria                                                                               10.5 36  45    A                                             1   20N.1  Nakuru 10.5 36  30-40 A                                             1   27M.1  Magadi 11.0 36  100   A                                             1   Comamonas terrigena.sup.T (NCIMB 8193)                                                                      --                                            1   wNk2   Nakuru 10.5 n.t.                                                                               19    A                                             1   Pseudomonas putida.sup.T (NCIMB 9494)                                                                       --                                            2   39E.3  Elmenteita                                                                            10-10.5                                                                             23  13.9  M                                             2   41E.3  Elmenteita                                                                            10-10.5                                                                             23  11.3  N                                             2   54E.3.sup.CT                                                                          Elmenteita                                                                            10   27  11.3  P                                             2   47E.3  Elmenteita                                                                            10   27  11.3  O                                             2   51N.3  Nakuru 10-10.5                                                                             29  40.1  P                                             2   52N.3  Nakuru 10-10.5                                                                             29  40.1  P                                             2   42E.3  Elmenteita                                                                            10-10.5                                                                             23  13.9  N                                             2   50N.3  Nakuru 10-10.5                                                                             29  40.1  N                                             2   Pseudomonas stutzeri.sup.T (NCIMB 11358)                                                                    --                                            --  wN2    Nakuru n.t. n.t.                                                                               n.t.  A                                             --  Pseudomonas beijerinckii.sup.T (NCIMB 9041)                                                                 --                                            --  4E.1   Elmenteita                                                                             9.5 35  n.t.  A                                             --  5E.1   Elmenteita                                                                             9.5 35  n.t.  A                                             3   6B.1   Bogoria                                                                               10.5 36  45    A                                             3   7B.1   Bogoria                                                                               10.5 36  45    A                                             3   8B.1   Bogoria                                                                               10.5 36  45    A                                             3   38E.2  Elmenteita                                                                            n.t. n.t.                                                                               n.t.  B                                             3   56E.4  Elmenteita                                                                            10-10.5                                                                             23  13.9  C                                             3   25B.1  Bogoria                                                                               10.5 36  45    A                                             3   26N.1  Nakuru 10.5 36  30-45 A                                             3   11C.1  Crater  9.0 30  10    A                                             3   wB1    Bogoria                                                                               n.t. n.t.                                                                               n.t.  A                                             3   12C.1  Crater  9.0 30  10    A                                             3   28N.1.sup.CT                                                                          Nakuru 10.5 36  30-40 A                                             3   61N.4  Nakuru 10-10.5                                                                             29  40.1  E                                             3   36E.3  Elmenteita                                                                            n.t. n.t.                                                                               n.t.  K                                             3   40E.3  Elmenteita                                                                            10-10.5                                                                             23  13.9  M                                             3   65B.4  Bogoria                                                                               n.t. n.t.                                                                               41.9  C                                             3   94LM.4 Little Magadi                                                                         9-9.5                                                                               81  35.0  L                                             3   19N.1  Nakuru 10.5 36  30-40 A                                             3   24B.1  Bogoria                                                                               10.5 36  45    A                                             3   21M.1  Magadi 11.0 36  100   A                                             3   29C.1  Crater  9.0 30  10    A                                             3   35E.2  Elmenteita                                                                            n.t. n.t.                                                                               n.t.  I                                             3   37E.2  Elmenteita                                                                            n.t. n.t.                                                                               n.t.  J                                             3   48E.3  Elmenteita                                                                            10.0 27  11.3  P                                             3   78LN.4 Little 8.5-9                                                                               30  1.2   G                                                        Naivasha                                                            3   73aC.4 Crater n.t. n.t.                                                                               10.2  D                                             3   75C.4  Crater n.t. n.t.                                                                               n.t.  H                                             3   73bC.4 Crater n.t. n.t.                                                                               10.2  D                                             3   74C.4  Crater n.t. n.t.                                                                               10.2  H                                             3   77LN.4 Little 8.5-9                                                                               30  1.2   F                                                        Naivasha                                                            3   wN1    Nakuru n.t. n.t.                                                                               n.t.  A                                             3   49N.3  Nakuru 10-10.5                                                                             29  40.1  Q                                             3   44E.3  Elmenteita                                                                            10.0 27  13.9  O                                             3   58E.4  Elmenteita                                                                            10.0 27  11.3  G                                             3   57E.4  Elmenteita                                                                            10.0 27  11.3  C                                             4   wE5    Elmenteita                                                                            n.t. n.t.                                                                               n.t.  A                                             4   wB4.sup.CT                                                                            Bogoria                                                                               n.t. n.t.                                                                               n.t.  A                                             4   wNk1   Nakuru 10.5 n.t.                                                                               19    A                                             4   wEl1   Elmenteita                                                                            10.4 n.t.                                                                               13    A                                             4   wEl2   Elmenteita                                                                            10.4 n.t.                                                                               13    A                                             5   9B.1   Bogoria                                                                               10.5 36  45    A                                             5   16N.1  Nakuru 10.5 36  30-40 A                                             5   17N.1.sup.CT                                                                          Nakuru 10.5 36  30-40 A                                             5   22M.1  Magadi 11.0 36  100   A                                             6   18N.1  Nakuru 10.5 36  30-40 A                                             6   59E.4  Elmenteita                                                                            10.0 31-33                                                                              12.7  G                                             6   64B.4.sup.CT                                                                          Bogoria                                                                               n.t. n.t.                                                                               n.t.  E                                             6   63N.4  Nakuru  9.0 n.t.                                                                               n.t.  C                                             6   53E.4  Elmenteita                                                                            10-10.5                                                                             23  13.9  G                                             --  92LM.4 Little Magadi                                                                         9-9.5                                                                               81  35.0  L                                             --  wBn5   Bogoria                                                                               10.5 n.t.                                                                               19    A                                             __________________________________________________________________________      *Clusters of microorganisms are obtained by analysis according to the          principles of numerical taxonomy using the S.sub.G / UPGMA method (see         discussion below and FIG. 1).                                                  n.t. = not tested                                                              The letter codes given for the Isolation Media refer to Appendix A.      

Treatment of the Samples: Enrichment and Isolation of Alkaliphilic Bacteria

A wide diversity of enrichment and isolation methods were applied. Some of the methods were specifically designed for the enrichment and isolation of alkaliphilic bacteria which exhibit specific types of enzyme activity at an alkaline pH. Other techniques of a more general nature were applied for the isolation of diverse sorts of alkaliphilic bacteria. In some cases, the specific conditions prevailing in the lakes (Table 2) were taken into account when experiments were performed for the isolation of bacteria.

The different nutrient media employed for the isolation of the new alkaliphilic bacteria are designated Medium A--Medium Q. The composition of the various media employed is shown in Appendix A.

For the isolation of non-specific alkaliphilic organotrophic bacteria, soda-lake water samples or dilutions thereof were streaked out on an alkaline nutrient agar, pH 10-pH 10.5 (Medium A). Samples of a more solid consistency, mud, sediment, etc. were first suspended in an alkaline nutrient broth (Medium A) before spreading on an alkaline nutrient agar (Medium A). The bacteria were cultivated in a heated incubator, preferably at 37° C. In some cases, the samples were suspended in an alkaline nutrient broth (Medium A) and the bacteria cultivated by shaking, preferably at 37° C. for 2-3 days before spreading the broth onto an alkaline nutrient agar (Medium A) for the isolation of bacterial colonies.

For the isolation of alkaliphilic bacteria exhibiting specific types of enzyme activity, samples were spread onto alkaline nutrient agar containing specific substrates such as lactalbumin or casein or olive oil. In some instances, the bacteria in the sample may be enriched for 1 day or several weeks in a non-specific alkaline nutrient broth such as Medium A before spreading the broth onto an alkaline nutrient agar specific for the detection of bacteria exhibiting enzyme activity such as lipolytic or proteolytic activity.

Taxonomic Analysis

Seventy strains of bacteria isolated from in and around alkaline lakes were assigned to the type of bacteria known as Gram-negative bacteria on the basis of (1) the Dussault modification of the Gram's staining reaction (Dussault, H. P., (1955), J. Bacteriol., 70, 484-485); (2) the KOH sensitivity test (Gregersen, T., (1978), Eur. J. Appl. Microbiol. and Biotech. 5, 123-127; Halebian, S. et al., (1981), J. Clin. Microbiol., 13, 444-448); (3) the aminopeptidase reaction (Cerny, G., (1976), Eur. J. Appl. Microbiol., 3, 223-225; ibid, (1978), 5, 113-122); and in many cases, confirmation also on the basis of (4) a quinone analysis (Collins, M. D. & Jones, D., (1981), Microbiol. Rev., 45, 316-354) using the method described by Collins, M. D. in Chemical Methods in Bacterial Systematics (eds. M. Goodfellow & D. Minnikin) pp. 267-288, Academic Press, London, 1985.

The seventy strains were tested for 104 characters. The results were analyzed using the principles of numerical taxonomy (Sneath, P. H. A. and Sokal, R. R., in Numerical Taxonomy, W.H. Freeman & Co., San Francisco, 1973). The characters tested and how they were tested are compiled in Appendix B. In addition, Appendix C records how each character was coded for taxonomic analysis.

Since there are no well-documented strict or obligate non-phototrophic, alkaliphilic Gram-negative eubacteria known to the inventors, a diverse collection of 20 known Gram-negative bacteria were subjected as controls to the same analysis, using modified pH conditions. These 20 known reference bacteria are recorded in Table 4 from which it will be seen that in most cases the "Type Strain" of the known species has been used.

                  TABLE 4                                                          ______________________________________                                         Gram-Negative Non-Alkaliphilic Reference Strains                               ______________________________________                                         (C.t.)*  Comamonas terrigena.sup.T NCIMB 8193                                  (P.p.)   Pseudomonas putida.sup.T NCIMB 9494                                   (P.s.)   Pseudomonas stutzeri.sup.T NCIMB 11358                                (A.t.)   "Alcaligenes tolerans" Leicester University strain                    (V.c.)   Vibrio costicola.sup.T NCIMB 701                                      (P.a.)   Providencia alcalifaciens.sup.T NCTC 10286                            (P.v.)   Proteus vulgaris.sup.NT ATCC 13315                                    (M.v.)   Moellerella wisconsensis.sup.T NCTC 12132                             (E.t.)   Edwardsiella tarda.sup.T NCTC 10396                                   (A.h.)   Aeromonas hydrophilia.sup.T NCTC 8049                                 (A.s.)   Aeromonas sp S5 Leicester University strain                           (F.a.)   Flavobacterium aquatile.sup.T NCIMB 8694                              (E.c.)   Escherichia coli.sup.T NCTC 9001                                      (E.a.)   Enterobacter aerogenes.sup.T NCTC 10006                               (K.a.)   Klebsiella pneumonia ATCC 15380 ("K. aerogenes")                      (H.a.)   Hafnia alvei.sup.T ATCC 13337                                         (C.f.)   Citrobacter freundii.sup.T NCTC 9750                                  (S.m.)   Serratia marcescens.sup.T NCTC 10211                                  (P.b.)   Pseudomonas beijerinckii.sup.T NCIMB 9041                             (H.e.)   Halomonas elongata.sup.T ATCC 33173                                   ______________________________________                                          *abbreviation used in FIGS. 1A and 1B and FIGS. 2A and 2B                      .sup.T denotes "Type Strain"-                                                  .sup.NT denotes "Neotype Strain"-                                        

Analysis of Test Data

The Estimation of Taxonomic Resemblance

The phenetic data, consisting of 104 unit characters were scored as indicated in Appendix C, and set out in the form of an "n×t" matrix, whose t columns represent the t bacterial strains to be grouped on the basis of resemblances, and whose n rows are the unit characters. Taxonomic resemblance of the bacterial strains was estimated by means of a similarity coefficient (Sneath, P. H. A. and Sokal, R. R., Numerical Taxonomy, supra, pp. 114-187). Although many different coefficients have been used for biological classification, only a few have found regular use in bacteriology. We have chosen to apply two association coefficients (Sneath, P. H. A. and Sokal, R. R., ibid, p. 129 et seq.), namely, the Gower and Jaccard coefficients. These have been frequently applied to the analysis of bacteriological data and have a wide acceptance by those skilled in the art since they have been shown to result in robust classifications.

The coded data were analyzed using the TAXPAK program package (Sackin, M. J., "Programmes for classification and identification". In Methods in Microbiology, Volume 19 (eds. R. R. Colwell and R. Grigorova), pp. 459-494, Academic Press, London, (1987)) run on a DEC VAX computer at the University of Leicester, U.K.

A similarity matrix was constructed for all pairs of strains using the Gower Coefficient (S_(G)) with the option of permitting negative matches (Sneath, P. H. A. and Sokal, R. R., supra, pp. 135-136) using the RTBNSIM program in TAXPAK. As the primary instrument of analysis and the one upon which most of the arguments presented herein are based, the Gower Coefficient was chosen over other coefficients for generating similarity matrices because it is applicable to all types of characters or data, namely, two-state, multistate (ordered and qualitative), and quantitative.

Cluster analysis of the similarity matrix was accomplished using the Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Averages (UPGMA) algorithm, also known as the Unweighted Average Linkage procedure, by running the SMATCLST sub-routine in TAXPAK.

The result of the cluster analysis is a dendrogram, a simplified version of which is provided in FIG. 1. The dendrogram illustrates the levels of similarity between the bacterial strains. The dendrogram is obtained by using the DENDGR program in TAXPAK.

The phenetic data, omitting multistate characters (characters 1-5, 11 and 12; Appendix C) and thus consisting of 193 unit characters, and scored in binary notation (positive=1, negative=0) were re-analyzed using the Jaccard Coefficient (S_(J)) (Sneath, P. H. A. and Sokal, R. R., ibid, p. 131) by running the RTBNSIM program in TAXPAK. A further dendrogram was obtained by using the SMATCLST with UPGMA option and DENDGR sub-routines in TAXPAK. A simplified version of this dendrogram is illustrated in FIG. 2. Appendix E gives the percentage positive states of characters in each cluster.

Results of the Cluster Analysis

S_(G) /UPGMA Method

FIG. 1 shows the results of cluster analysis, based on the Gower Coefficient and the UPGMA method, of 70 new, Gram-negative, alkaliphilic bacteria isolated from in and around alkaline lakes, together with 20 known Gram-negative bacteria.

Six natural clusters or phenons of alkaliphilic bacteria which include 65 of the 70 alkaliphilic strains are generated at the 73% similarity level. Although the choice of 73% for the level of delineation may seem arbitrary, it is in keeping with current practices in numerical taxonomy (Austin, B. and Priest, F., in Modern Bacterial Taxonomy, p. 37; Van Nostrand Reinhold; Wokingham, U.K., (1986)). Placing the delineation at a lower percentage would combine groups of clearly unrelated organisms while a higher percentage would produce a multitude of less well-defined clusters. At the 73% level, the individual clusters may represent separate bacterial genera. Furthermore, the significance of clustering at this level is supported by chemotaxonomic data (see below) and the pattern of clusters obtained using the Jaccard Coefficient (FIGS. 2A and 2B).

The significance of the clustering at the 73% level is supported by the results of the TESTDEN program. This program tests the significance of all dichotomous pairs of clusters (comprising 4 or more strains) in a UPGMA generated dendrogram with squared Euclidean distances, or their complement, as a measurement. The program assumes that the clusters are hyperspherical. The critical overlap was set at 0.25%. As can be seen from Table 5, the separation of the clusters is highly significant.

                  TABLE 5                                                          ______________________________________                                         Significance of the Clusters Generated by the S.sub.G /UPGMA                   Method Provided by TESTDEN                                                     CLUSTER separates from                                                                        CLUSTER   at Significance Level                                 ______________________________________                                         1              2         p = 0.99                                              1 + 2          3 + 4     p = 0.99                                              1 + 2 + 3 + 4  5 + 6     p < 0.90                                              1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6                                                                         controls  p = 0.99                                              5              6         p = 0.99                                              ______________________________________                                    

A further measure of cluster separation can be estimated from the probability of cluster overlap. This was achieved using the OVERMAT program in TAXPAK with the critical overlap set out at 2.5%. As can be seen from Table 6, there is a greater than 95% probability of less than 2.5% overlap between the clusters. For many of the cluster combinations the overlap is effectively nil. Only Clusters 3 and 4 have a lower probability of <2.5% overlap, but these clusters may be clearly distinguished from one another on the basis of chemotaxonomic data (see below).

                  TABLE 6                                                          ______________________________________                                         Percentage Probability that Cluster Overlap is < 2.5%                          CLUSTER   1      2        3    4      5    6                                   ______________________________________                                         2         95                                                                   3         99     95                                                            4         95     95       90                                                   5         99     >99      >99  >99                                             6         >99    >99      99   >99    >99                                      ______________________________________                                    

The controls show that, as expected, the cluster analysis groups the Enterobacteriaceae separately. Additionally, the Aeromonas and Pseudomonas species, included as controls, also group separately. This is entirely consistent with the current taxonomy of these organisms (Bergey's Manual Of Systematic Bacteriology, Volume 1, Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore/London, 1984).

Five of the alkaliphilic strains fall outside the major clusters. Two strains, 4E.1 and 5E.1 form a separate but related pair and are obviously associated with the major groups of alkaliphilic bacteria. Strain wN2 is also unclustered but is apparently related to a Pseudomonas species and the major phenons of alkaliphilic bacteria. Strains 92LM.4 and wBn5 do not associate with the major alkaliphilic phenons and probably represent distinct groups of new alkaliphilic bacteria.

Clusters 1 and 2 are the only phenons which show an association with known organisms, i.e. Pseudomonas and Comamonas species. The separation of Pseudomonas putida and Pseudomonas stutzeri into separate taxa is entirely in keeping with the current taxonomic status of these organisms (Palleroni, N. J. et al, (1973), Int. J. Systematic Bacteriol., 23, 333-339; Gavini, F. et al., (1989), ibid, 39, 135-144; Bergey's Manual of Systematic Bacteriology, supra).

It was clear from the original dendrogram that Pseudomonas stutzeri is an outlier to Cluster 2 and is not closely related to the other members of the cluster. This is seen when the Euclidean distances of the strains from the centroid of the cluster are computed and used to calculate the cluster radius (Sneath, P. H. A. and Sokal, R. R., supra, pp. 194 et seq). The cluster radius is 3.91 (99% confidence level) and the mean distance of the strains from the centroid is 2.84 (standard deviation 0.46). Pseudomonas stutzeri at a distance from the centroid of 3.91 is clearly at the very boundary of phenetic hyperspace which defines Cluster 2.

A clear discrimination between Clusters 1 and 2 is possible using the concept of the minimum discriminatory tests (see below).

Each of the alkaliphilic strains in Cluster 2 have been examined by two independent laboratories expert in the identification of bacteria, namely, the German Culture Collection (DSM, Braunschweig, FRG) and the Laboratory for Microbiology at Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands. Neither of these laboratories was able to make a positive identification of the strains, although both agreed there was a resemblance with Pseudomonas either placing them in RNA homology group I (Palleroni, N. J. et al, supra) or more specifically in the Comamonas testosteroni/Pseudomonas alcaligenes or Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes groups (Gavini, F. et al, supra). However, no Pseudomonas species are known which are able to grow under the same highly alkaline conditions (pH 10) as the new strains described herein. An attempt was made to cultivate Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes^(T) DSM 50188 and Pseudomonas alcaligenes^(T) DSM 50342 in an alkaline broth medium (Medium A, Appendix A), but without success.

The results of these experts together with the discoveries described here, clearly indicate that these alkaliphilic strains in Clusters 1 and 2 represent new species of bacteria.

Clusters 3, 4, 5 and 6 are discrete phenons distinguished from each other on the basis of the minimum discriminatory tests (see below) and chemotaxonomic markers (see below). These phenons show no significant similarity with known groups of bacteria, and thus represent new genera or species.

Whole cell protein patterns generated by PAGE-electrophoresis indicate that a number of strains are likely to be identical. Examples include: 1E.1^(CT) and 2E.1; 6B.1, 7B.1 and 8B.1; 45E.3^(CT) and 47E.3. The dendrogram reveals that these strains are related at an average S_(G) value of 92.3%, indicating a probable test error of 3.8% (Sneath, P. H. A. and Sokal, R. R., supra). Strains 73bC.4 and 74C.4, which appear to be closely related (90% S_(G)), have similar but not identical gel patterns.

S_(J) /UPGMA Method

The Jaccard coefficient is a useful adjunct to the Gower coefficient as it can be used to detect phenons in the latter generated by negative matches or distortions owing to undue weight being put on potentially subjective qualitative data. Consequently, the Jaccard coefficient is useful for confirming the validity of clusters defined initially by the use of the Gower coefficient. The Jaccard coefficient is particularly useful in comparing biochemically unreactive organisms (Austin, B., and Priest, F. G., supra, p. 37).

In the main, all of the clusters generated by the S_(G) /UPGMA method are recovered in the dendrogram produced by the S_(J) /UPGMA method (FIG. 2). Although the composition of the clusters is virtually identical in both dendrograms, a few strains have changed position. Non-clustering strains 4E.1 and 5E.1 move into Cluster 1/5, strains 42E.3 and 50N.3 move from Cluster 2 to Cluster 3/4. The strains wNk2, Pseudomonas stutzeri, Pseudomonas putida, wE5 become non-clustering.

Not surprisingly, the S_(J) transformation combines (S_(G)) Clusters 1 and 5. Both of these clusters are characterized as consisting of biochemically fairly unreactive strains. However, Clusters 1 and 5 are clearly distinct. Cluster 1 consists of strains producing cream/beige, circular colonies while the strains of Cluster 5 exclusively produce bright yellow, irregular colonies.

Furthermore, the S_(J) transformation groups most of the strains of Cluster 4 with the strains of Cluster 3. However, it is evident from the chemotaxonomic data (see below), which shows that the strains of Cluster 4 contain Q9 and the strains of Cluster 3 contain mainly Q6, that these clusters should not be combined since they contain distinctly different strains. For these reasons, it is considered that the clustering produced by the S_(G) /UPGMA method is the better representation of the actual taxonomic status of these strains. However, the S_(J) /UPGMA serves to re-emphasize that with the single exception of a Comamonas species none of the known strains, not even the Pseudomonas control strains, bear significant resemblance to the clusters of the new alkaliphilic bacteria.

Chemotaxonomic Definition of the Clusters

Chemotaxonomy is the study of the chemical compositions of organisms in relation to their systematics. The analysis of chromosomal DNA, ribosomal RNA, proteins, cell walls and membranes, for example, can give valuable insights into taxonomic relationships and may be used as a further tool to construct or to verify the taxonomies of microorganisms (Goodfellow, M. and Minnikin, D. E. in Chemical Methods in Bacterial Systematics, (eds. Goodfellow, M. and Minnikin, D. E.), Academic Press, London and Orlando, Fla., (1985), pp. 1-15). However, it is not always possible to decide a priori which type of chemical information will be most diagnostic for a given classification. The amphipathic polar lipids, the major respiratory quinones, fatty acids located in the bacterial membranes and analysis of chromosomal DNA all have taxonomic significance for the classification of various bacteria (Lechevalier, H. and Lechevalier, M. P., in Microbial Lipids, volume 1 (eds. Ratledge, C. and Wilkinson, S. G.) Academic Press, London and San Diego, Calif., (1988), pp. 869-902).

Polar Lipids

The extraction of polar lipids from bacteria and their analysis by two dimensional thin layer chromatography (2D-TLC) may yield patterns of diagnostic value. Stationary phase cells were extracted in 1:1 (v/v) CHCl₃ :CH₃ OH and examined by 2D-TLC as described by Ross, H. N. H., Grant, W. D. and Harris, J. E., in Chemical Methods in Bacterial Systematics, (eds. Goodfellow, M. and Minnikin, D. E.), Academic Press, London and Orlando, Fla. (1985), pp. 289-300. The types of lipids present on the chromatograms were visualized using a variety of differential stains (Ross, H. N. M., et al., supra, p. 291; and Trincone, A., et al., J. Gen. Microbiol., (1990), 136, pp. 2327-2331). The identity of components were confirmed by co-chromatography with known lipids.

The results of this analysis for representative strains of Gram-negative alkaliphiles are set out in Table 7. These show no clear polar lipid pattern which is distinct for any one cluster. All strains contain phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol phosphate and phosphatidylethanolamine. In addition, certain strains, particularly in Cluster 3, contain phosphatidylglycerol sulphate (PGS). The distribution of PGS within Cluster 3 coincides broadly with the suspected sub-group structure of the cluster evident from the phenetic and other chemotaxonamic data. PGS is therefore a non-exclusive marker for Cluster 3.

We were surprised to find that a majority of the bacteria contained a glycolipid which on the basis of numerous co-chromatographic analyses appeared common to Gram-negative bacteria of the present invention. Glycolipids have not previously been demonstrated to be present in alkaliphilic bacteria (Krulwich, T. A., et al, CRC Critical Reviews in Microbiology, (1988), 16, 15-36). Furthermore, as judged by co-chromatography of lipids obtained from several strains, the glycolipid is also found in Gram-positive alkaliphiles isolated from soda lakes. It is possible therefore, that the chemical structure of the glycolipid may be a chemotaxonomic marker for the obligate alkaliphiles.

                  TABLE 7                                                          ______________________________________                                         Polar Lipid Componemts of Gram-Negative Alkaliphilic Bacteria                  CLUS-                                                                          TER   STRAIN    PG    DPG  PGP  PE  PGS  GL   AL  UPL                          ______________________________________                                         1     1E.1.sup.CT                                                                              +     +    +    +                                                    2E.1      +     +    +    +        +                                           10B.1     +     +    +    +        3+                                          20N.1     +     +    +    +        +                                           27M.1     +     +         +        +                                           wNk.2     +     +    +    +                 +                            2     39E.3     +     +    +    +        +                                           41E.3     +     +    +    +        +                                           45E.3.sup.CT                                                                             +     +    +    +        +                                           51N.3     +     +    +    +        +                                           52N.3     +     +    +    +        +                                           42E.3     +     +    +    +        +                                           50N.3     +     +    +    +   +                                                P.s.      +     +         +                                              --    5E.1      +     +    +    +   +    +        +                            3     6B.1      +     +    +    +             +                                      7B.1      +     +    +    +        +                                           8B.1      +     +    +    +        +                                           25B.1     +     +    +    +        +                                           26N.1     +     +    +    +        +                                           12C.1     +     +    +    +        +    +                                      28N.1.sup.CT                                                                             +     +    +    +   +                                                36E.2     +     +    +    +   +    +                                           40E.3     +     +    +    +   +    +                                           94LM.4    +     +    +    +   +    +                                           19N.1     +     +    +    +        +                                           24B.1     +     +    +    +        +                                           21M.1     +     +    +    +        +                                           29C.1     +     +    +    +   +                                                35E.2     +     +    +    +   +                                                37E.2     +     +    +    +   +    +                                           48E.3     +     +    +    +   +    +                                           73aC.4    +     +    +    +   +    +                                           74C.4     +     +    +    +   +    +                                           49E.3     +     +    +    +   +    +                                           44E.3     +     +    +    +   +    +                                           58E.4     +     +    +    +        +                                     4     wE5       +     +    +    +   +                                                wB4.sup.CT                                                                               +     +    +    +                                                    wNk1      +     +    +    +             +   +                                  wEl1      +     +    +    +             +   +                                  wEl2      +     +    +    +                 +                            5     9B.1      +     +    +    +                                                    16N.1     +     +    +    +                                                    17N.1.sup.CT                                                                             +     +    +    +        +                                           22M.1     +     +    +    +                                              6     18N.1     +     +    +    +        +                                           59E.4     +     +    +    +                                                    64B.4.sup.CT                                                                             +     +    +    +                                                    63N.4     +     +    +    +        +                                           53E.4     +     +    +    +        +                                     ______________________________________                                          (PG) phosphatidylglycerol;                                                     (DPG) diphosphatidylglycerol;                                                  (PGP) phosphatidylglycerol phosphate;                                          (PE) phosphatidylethanolamine;                                                 (PGS) phosphatidylglycerol sulphate;                                           (GL) unidentified glycolipid(s), α-naphthol positive (the number in      the column gives the number of positive spots on the TLC plate);               (AL) unidentified aminolipid (ninhydrin positive);                             (UPL) unidentified phospholipid(s).                                      

Isoprenoid Quinones

The isoprenoid or respiratory quinones are characteristic components of the plasma membrane of aerobic bacteria. There are two types; menaquinones and ubiquinones. The value of isoprenoid quinones as taxonomic criteria lies in the variation in the length of the polyprenyl side-chain and the degree of saturation (Collins, M. D. and Jones, D. (1981), supra).

Freeze dried stationary phase bacterial cells were extracted, using a modified procedure of Collins, M. D. (in Chemical Methods in Bacterial Systematics, supra, pp. 267-284), in 1:1 (v/v) CHCl₃ :CH₃ OH at 50° C., for 16 hours. The quinones were examined by reverse phase thin layer chromatography as described by Collins, M. D. (supra).

The results of quinone analyses of nearly all the strains of Gram-negative alkaliphiles are illustrated in Table 8. All of the strains tested contained exclusively ubiquinones which confirms their status as Gram-negative bacteria (Collins, M. D. and Jones, D., supra). Table 8 shows quite clearly that the major ubiquinones are Q6 and Q9. It is also evident that the strains containing Q6 are exclusive to Cluster 3 and that this distinguishes Cluster 3 from all the other clusters since they contain strains possessing Q9 as the major ubiquinone.

                  TABLE 8                                                          ______________________________________                                         Major Respiratory Quinones of the Strains                                      Arranged per Cluster                                                           ______________________________________                                         CLUSTER 1    CLUSTER 2      CLUSTER 3                                          STRAIN Q         STRAIN   Q       STRAIN Q                                     ______________________________________                                         1E.1.sup.CT                                                                           Q9        39E.3    Q9      6B.1   Q6                                    2E.1   Q9        41E.3    Q9      7B.1   Q6, Q9                                wB2    Q9        45E.3.sup.CT                                                                            Q9      8B.1   Q6, Q9                                wB5    Q9        47E.3    Q9, Q10 38E.2  Q6                                    wBs4   Q9        52N.3    Q9      56E.4  Q6                                    10B.1  Q9        42E.3    Q9      25B.1  Q6, Q9                                20N.1  Q9        50N.3    Q9      26N.1  Q6                                    27M.1  Q9                         12C.1  Q6                                    C.t.*   Q8 + Q9(t)!               28N.1.sup.CT                                                                          Q6                                    wNk2   Q9                         61N.4  Q6                                    P.p.*   Q9!                       36E.2  Q6                                                                      40E.3  Q6, Q9                                                                  65B.4  Q6                                                                      94LM.4 Q6, Q9                                                                  19N.1  Q6, Q9                                                                  24B.1  Q6, Q9                                                                  21M.1  Q6                                                                      29C.1  Q6                                                                      35E.2  Q6                                                                      37E.2  Q6                                                                      48E.3  Q6                                                                      78LN.4 Q6                                                                      73aC.4 Q6                                                                      75C.4  Q6                                                                      73bC.4 Q6                                                                      74C.4  Q6, Q9                                                                  77LN.4 Q6                                                                      49E.3  Q6                                                                      58E.4  Q6                                                                      57E.4  Q6                                    ______________________________________                                         CLUSTER 4 CLUSTER 5   CLUSTER 6  NON-CLUSTER                                   STRAIN Q      STRAIN   Q    STRAIN Q   STRAIN Q                                ______________________________________                                         wE5    Q9     9B.1     Q9   18N.1  Q9  wN.2   Q9                               wB4.sup.CT                                                                            Q9     16N.1    Q9   59E.4  Q9  5E.1   Q8                               wNk1   Q9     17N.1.sup.CT                                                                            Q9,  64B.4.sup.CT                                                                          Q9  92LM.4 Q9                                                      Q10                                                     wE11   Q9,    22M.1    Q9   63N.4  Q9  wBn5   Q8,                                     Q10                                    Q9(t)                                   (t)                                                                     wE12   Q9     22M.1    Q9   53E.4  Q9                                          ______________________________________                                          Q = Ubiquinone, the number indicates the number of sidechain isoprene          units.                                                                         (t) = trace                                                                    *C.t. = Comomonas terrigena.sup.T NCIMB 8193, the quinone result is            obtained from J. Tamaoka et al, International Journal of Systematic            Bacteriology, 37, 52-59, (1987).                                               P.p. = Pseudomonas putida.sup.T NCIMB 9494, the quinone result is obtaine      from M. D. Collins and D. Jones, Microbiological Reviews, 45, 316-354,         (1981).                                                                  

Fatty Acids

The analysis of fatty acid profiles has had a significant impact on bacterial classification especially in the circumscription of genera and species among Gram-positive bacteria and actinomycetes (Kroppenstedt, R. M., in Chemical Methods in Bacterial Systematics (eds. M. Goodfellow and D. E. Minnikin), Academic Press; London and Orlando, Fla., (1985), pp. 173-199); Lechevalier, H. and Lechevalier, M. P., supra.

Freeze dried stationary phase cells (200-300 mg) were extracted for 16 hours at 75° C. in toluene:methanol:conc. sulphuric acid (2.5 ml:2.5 ml:0.2 ml) and after cooling, the lipids were partitioned into hexane (twice times 1 ml). Residual acid was removed using NH₄ HCO₃. Lipid extracts were concentrated under O₂ -free N₂, dissolved in 300 μl hexane and applied to preparative silica gel plates (Merck F254, Type T). The plates were developed in hexane: diethyl ether 85:15 (v/v) and the fatty acid methyl esters scraped off, extracted with hexane and concentrated under a stream of O₂ -free N₂.

The fatty acid methyl esters were dissolved in heptane and analyzed by gas chromatography using a Packard model 439 chromatograph equipped with flame ionization detectors. The samples were divided by a sample splitter and analyzed simultaneously over two columns, namely, CP-SIL-88 (Chrompack) (length 50 meter, internal diameter 0.22 mm) and Ultra-2 (Hewlett/Packard) (length 50 m, internal diameter 0.20 mm). The carrier gas was nitrogen; the injection temperature 120° C.; temperature gradient 2.5° C. per minute to 240° C. and isothermal at 240° C. for 30 minutes. Fatty acid methyl esters were assigned by reference to known standard mixtures. The identity of some peaks was confirmed by means of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry using a Carlo Erba HRGC 5160 Mega series gas chromatograph equipped with a CP-SIL-88 column (length 50 meter, internal diameter 0.22 mm) with helium as carrier gas and direct injection into the source of a AMD 403 mass spectrometer.

The fatty acid compositions of representative individual Gram-negative bacteria are set out in Table 9. Table 10 shows the unique fatty acid profiles of each of the clusters. Clusters 1, 2, 3 and 4 are fairly typical of the majority of Gram-negative bacteria where the major saturated fatty acid is C16:0 with lesser amounts of C14:0 and C18:0. The major unsaturated fatty acids in these alkaliphilic bacteria are C16:0 and C18:1 (11-cis), which is also typical, as is the lack of odd-numbered fatty acids (Wilkinson, S. G., in Microbial Lipids, volume 1 (eds. Ratledge, C. and Wilkinson, S. G.), Academic Press, London and San Diego, Calif., (1988), pp. 299-488). Minor amounts of C17:0 and C19:0 cyclopropane acids are found in some strains of Gram-negative bacteria. The strains of Cluster 3 exhibit fairly simple fatty acid profiles with C16:0 and C18:1 contributing 67-88% of the total acids, and C16:1 plus C18:0 up to 20% of the remainder. Even so, the fatty acid patterns support the notion that Cluster 3 contains several sub-groups, a conclusion that is also inferred from phenetic (numerical taxonomy) and polar lipid analyses (Table 7).

The strains of Cluster 1 can be distinguished from those of Cluster 2 on the relative abundance of straight chain saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, as well as the percentage amounts of C18:1(11-cis). The alkaliphilic bacteria of Clusters 1 and 2 have more complex fatty acid profiles than those of Cluster 3, with many more minor components. From the numerical taxonomy evidence, the alkaliphilic strains of Clusters 1 and 2 exhibit some resemblance to Pseudomonas species. However, the total lack of any hydroxy-fatty acids which are typical of most Pseudomonas species, further indicating that a close relationship is doubtful.

The strains of Clusters 5 and 6 are remarkable in that besides containing major amounts of C16:0, the other major fatty acids are odd-numbered branched chain acids (40-85%). Also, these strains lack significant amounts of C18:1 or any other unsaturated acids which are present in appreciable amounts in the alkaliphilic strains of Clusters 1, 2, 3 and 4. The presence of large amounts of C15:0 and C17:0 iso and anteiso acids is characteristic of only a very few classes of Gram-negative bacteria, notably species from exotic environments such as Thermus, or poorly defined taxa such as Flavobacterium (Wilkinson, S. G., supra). This result further emphasizes the novelty of the alkaliphilic strains of the present invention. The strains of Clusters 5 and 6 can be distinguished from each other by the proportion of branched-chain fatty acids they contain and more especially by the relative proportions of even- and odd-numbered fatty acids.

                                      TABLE 9                                      __________________________________________________________________________     Fatty Acid Composition.sup.+  of Gram-Negative Alkaliphiles                    __________________________________________________________________________     CLUSTER →                                                                      1       2        3                                                      FATTY ACID                                                                            1E.1.sup.CT                                                                        2E.1                                                                               45E.3.sup.CT                                                                        50E.3                                                                              25B.1                                                                              28N.1.sup.CT                                                                        36E.2                                                                             24B.1                                                                              37E.2                                                                              48E.3                              __________________________________________________________________________     10:0                        0.4                                                12:0   t   t   3.6  4.7     0.5  0.5    0.3 t                                  12:1   0.2 0.2                                                                 13:0           <0.1                                                            14:0   0.7 0.7 3.8  3.9 4.5 4.4  3.4                                                                               2.6 2.9 2.6                                14:0 iso                                                                       14:1   2.6 0.9              0.1                                                15:0       0.3 0.6  0.9 0.7 0.6         0.9 0.3                                15:0 iso       0.1  0.2                                                        15:0 anteiso   <0.1 0.3                                                        15:0 cyclo                                                                     16:0   29.0                                                                               32.0                                                                               28.5 34.4                                                                               37.3                                                                               24.1 42.0                                                                              36.7                                                                               33.3                                                                               26.0                               16:0 iso   0.3      0.2                                                        16:1   7.4 9.6 4.1  4.3 11.6                                                                               15.0 10.0                                                                              5.8 3.4 8.0                                17:0   0.5 2.3 0.9  1.1     0.2         1.2 0.3                                17:0 iso       0.2  0.6                                                        17:0 anteiso                                                                   17:0 cyclo     0.4.sup.a                                                                           1.8                 1.8 0.3                                17:1   0.3 1.6          0.6                                                    17:1 br             1.7                                                        18:0   12.0                                                                               4.7 17.9 10.8                                                                               8.9 0.2  0.9                                                                               2.0 0.6 1.1                                18:0 unknown                                                                          0.2 0.4                                                                 18:1 9-cis                                                                            0.2 t   0.5  0.3     t    t  t   0.6 t                                  18:1 9-trans                                                                          0.5 0.6 5.9  2.9 2.4 0.2  t  1.0 0.6 0.6                                18:1 11-cis                                                                           42.0                                                                               44.0                                                                               23.9 24.1                                                                               27.5                                                                               54.2 43.0                                                                              50.6                                                                               41.6                                                                               57.7                               18:1 unknown                                                                          0.2 0.3                                                                 18:2           0.5  1.9 2.7         0.5 t   t                                  19:0           0.1                                                             19:0 cyclo          1.3     0.4         12.9                                                                               2.0                                19:1 br                                                                        20:0   0.4     5.3  2.7 2.4                                                    20:1   3.6 1.2                                                                 22:0           3.3  1.5 1.4                                                    24:0           0.2                                                             __________________________________________________________________________     CLUSTER →                                                                      4        5             6        non-clustering                          FATTY ACID                                                                            WB4.sup.CT                                                                          WEl1                                                                               9B.1                                                                               16N.1                                                                               17N.1.sup.CT                                                                        59E.4                                                                              64B.4.sup.CT                                                                        5E.1                                                                               92LM.4                              __________________________________________________________________________     10:0   0.5                                                                     12:0   0.9  0.2                                                                12:1        0.8                                                                13:0                                                                           14:0   3.8  1.3 3.2 1.9  1.2  3.9 6.4  3.8 1.5                                 14:0 iso        0.7 t    t    0.7 2.0                                          14:1        0.1                                                                15:0   0.7  0.2               t   3.8  t                                       15:0 iso        8.7 9.3  8.2  3.9 12.6     44.0                                15:0 anteiso    32.3                                                                               27.1 35.3 24.8                                                                               18.1     9.9                                 15:0 cyclo                                                                            <0.1                                                                    16:0   26.8 26.9                                                                               22.5                                                                               17.4 12.5 26.3                                                                               40.5 74.7                                                                               18.7                                16:0 iso        4.7 5.8  6.7  2.4 3.7      2.1                                 16:1   7.9  2.4                        2.9                                     17:0   0.4  0.3               t   2.4                                          17:0 iso    0.3 3.2 6.0  5.1  0.6 1.7      15.7                                17:0 anteiso    21.9                                                                               24.4 29.8 6.1 3.7      6.8                                 17:0 cyclo                                                                            0.2                                                                     17:1   <0.1                                                                    17:1 br                                                                        18:0   5.2  3.5 2.3 5.3  1.2  16.2                                                                               4.8  2.6 1.5                                 18:0 unknown                           5.9                                     18:1 9-cis                                                                            t    2.5                                                                18:1 9-trans                                                                          1.7  0.9 *0.5                                                                               *1.6 *1.0 *5.7                                                                               *0.5 *10.0                                   18:1 11-cis                                                                           47.4 48.1                                                               18:1 unknown                                                                   18:2   1.0  0.3               2.7                                              19:0                                                                           19:0 cyclo                                                                            1.0                                                                     19:1 br     11.2                                                               20:0   1.3  0.4               4.6                                              20:1        0.3                                                                22:0   0.8  0.2               2.6                                              24:0                                                                           __________________________________________________________________________      *includes all C18:1 isomers                                                    .sup.+ % total fatty acids                                                     t = trace                                                                      br = branched                                                                  .sup.a C17:0 cyclo or C18:0 unknown                                      

                                      TABLE 10                                     __________________________________________________________________________     Fatty Acid Profiles of the Clusters of Gram-Negative Alkaliphiles                       Cluster                                                                        1     2     3A/B  3C    3D    4     5      6                          __________________________________________________________________________     Predominant Fatty                                                                       C16:0 C16:0 C16:0 C16:0 C16:0 C16:0 C15:0 anteiso                                                                         C15:0 br                   Acids (>10%)                                                                            C18:1 11-cis                                                                         C18:0 C16:1 C18:1 11-cis                                                                         C18:1 11-cis                                                                         C18:1 11-cis                                                                         C16:0  C16:0                                     C18:1 11-cis                                                                         C18:1 11-cis            C17:0 anteiso                     n-saturated                                                                             ˜40%                                                                           60-65%                                                                               30-55%                                                                               ˜40%                                                                           30-40%                                                                               30-40%                                                                               15-30% 55-60%                     n-unsaturated                                                                           ˜60%                                                                           ≈33%                                                                         45-70%                                                                               ˜60%                                                                           50-65%                                                                               50-60%                                                                                <2%   <10%                       iso       <1%  <1%   0%    0%    0%    <1%   ˜20%                                                                            10-20%                     anteiso   0%   <1%   0%    0%    0%     0%   50-65% 20-30%                     total branched                                                                           <1%  <3%   0%    0%    0%     1-12%                                                                               >70%   ˜40%                 cyclo     0%   <5%         0%     2-15%                                                                               <2%    0%     0%                        even carbon no.                                                                         >95%  >90%  >99%  >99%  >80%  >85%  20-35% 55-65%                     odd carbon no.                                                                           <5%  <10%  <1%   <1%   <20%  <15%  65-80% 35-45%                     additional markers                                                                            C17:0 cyclo       C17:0 cyclo                                                  C19:0 cyclo       C19:0 cyclo                                                  C17:1 br                                                        __________________________________________________________________________      br = branched                                                            

Nucleic Acids

An essential component of any taxonomic study is analysis of the genetic material--the nucleic acids. The composition of chromosomal DNA is unaffected by the growth conditions of the organism and an appropriate analysis may confirm or refute the taxonomic position of the organism. Chromosomal DNA may be analyzed by the determination of the base composition (G+C mol %) of individual strains, and the base sequence homologies between pairs of strains by DNA-DNA reassociation (hybridization) (Owen, R. J. and Pitcher, D., in Chemical Methods in Bacterial Systematics (eds. M. Goodfellow and D. E. Minnikin), Academic Press, London and Orlando, Fla. (1985), pp. 67-93).

DNA Base Composition

The guanine plus cytosine (G+C mol %) composition is constant for the chromosomal DNA from any given organism. Closely related organisms have similar G+C compositions. However, G+C results must be interpreted within the context of independent taxonomic data since similar G+C mol % of DNA samples from different organisms does not in itself imply biological relatedness.

DNA was extracted from cells grown to exponential phase in Medium A by the chloroform:phenol method and was precipitated with ethanol. Base composition was determined by the thermal denaturation method (Marmur, J. and Doty, P. (1962), J. Mol. Biol., 3, 585-594) on a Phillips model Pv8764 spectrophotometer with temperature programming. A second method involved HPLC analysis on a Beckman system gold using a Beckman ultrasphere ODS column and 0.04M potassium dihydrogen phosphate plus acetonitrile (9+1, v/v) as eluent at a flow rate of 1.5 ml/min, after treatment of the DNA with nuclease P1 and alkaline phosphatase.

The results of these analyses are set out in Table 11. The G+C mol % values for the alkaliphilic bacteria cover a range of 30 mol % (37.6-67.1 mol %). However, within the clusters the variation is only 3-7 mol %, which further confirms that the strains within a cluster are closely related to each other.

                  TABLE 11                                                         ______________________________________                                         DNA Base Composition of Gram-Negative                                          Alkaliphilic Bacteria                                                                            G + C mol %                                                  Cluster     Strain      HPLC    T.sub.M                                        ______________________________________                                         1           2E.1        55.2                                                               wBs4                51.2                                                       20N.1       51.1                                                               wNk2                53.0                                           2           42E.2       62.7                                                   3           wB1                 63.0                                                       28N.1.sup.CT                                                                               64.1                                                               37E.2       67.1                                                               wN1                 64.8                                           4           wE5                 58.5                                                       wB4.sup.CT          65.3                                                       wNk1                61.0                                                       wEl1                59.7                                                       wEl2                58.1                                           5           17N.1.sup.CT                                                                               50.0                                                               22M.1       43.8                                                   6           64B.4.sup.CT                                                                               41.0                                                               53E.4       37.6                                                   non         wN2                 64.1                                                       wBn5                54.6                                           ______________________________________                                    

DNA-DNA Molecular Hybridization

The method used was essentially that of Crosa, J. H. et al. (Int. J. Systematic Bacteriol., 29, 328-332, 1979). Tritium labelled DNA was prepared using a nick-translation kit (Amersham, N5000) according to the manufacturer's instructions. The reassociation mixtures were incubated at 65° C. for 16 hours. The results are set out in Table 12 from which it can be seen that the DNA sequence homology is higher within the clusters that between the clusters.

                  TABLE 12                                                         ______________________________________                                         Inter-Cluster and Intra-Cluster DNA--DNA Homology                              Values for Gram-Negative Alkaliphilic Bacteria                                 Cluster  1      2       3      4    5      6                                   Strain   2E.1   45E.3.sup.CT                                                                           28N.1.sup.CT                                                                          wEl2 17N.1.sup.CT                                                                          64B.4.sup.CT                        ______________________________________                                         1   2E.1     100          33     35   25     25                                    20N.1    56                                                                2   45E.3.sup.CT    100          25                                                42E.3           76                30                                       3   28N.1.sup.CT                                                                            20     34    100    26   30     30                                    56E.4                 51                                                       21M.1                 53                                                       37E.2           37                                                             44E.3                 55                                                   4   wEl2                         100                                               wB4.sup.CT            41     43                                            5   17N.1.sup.CT                                                                            45     44    36     24   100    44                                    22M.1                             65                                       6   64B.4.sup.CT                                                                            21     31    35     25   34     100                                   53E.4                                    60                                    SS       17                       20     20                                ______________________________________                                          The values give the percent hybridization between the strains (rows) and       H.sup.3 -labelled strains (columns).                                           SS = salmon sperm DNA.                                                   

Determination of Representative Strains

The centroid of each individual cluster generated by the S_(G) /UPGMA method was computed using the RGROUPS program in TAXPAK. The centroid of a cluster of points representing real organisms projected into hyperspace represents a hypothetical average organism. The centroid rarely, if ever represents a real organism. Therefore, the Euclidean distances of each of the members of the cluster from the centroid of the cluster were calculated in order to establish which strain was closest to the hypothetical average organism. The strain closest to the centroid was designated the "centrotype" organism (indicated with the superscript "CT").

The centrotype organism can be thought of as the "Type Strain" which most closely represents the essential and discriminating features of each particular cluster. The centrotype strains are recorded in Table 13.

                  TABLE 13                                                         ______________________________________                                         Centrotype Strains                                                                      Mean Euclidean     Centrotype                                                        Distance of              Euclidean                                    Number of                                                                               Strains                  Distance                               Cluster                                                                              Strains in                                                                              from        Standard     from                                   Number                                                                               Cluster  Centroid    Deviation                                                                             Strain                                                                               Centroid                               ______________________________________                                         1     11       3.67        0.30   1E.1  2.88                                   2     9        3.20        0.52   45E.3 2.30                                   3     34       3.52        0.32   28N.1 2.90                                   4     5        3.97        0.29   wB4   2.87                                   5     4        3.25        0.29   17N.1 2.13                                   6     5        3.11        0.41   64B.4 1.93                                   ______________________________________                                    

A description of each of the centrotype organisms has been made so as to be able to distinguish these organisms from all other bacteria previously known and described. In addition, the minimum number of discriminating tests to define each cluster has been computed so that it may be clearly seen that the clusters containing these novel bacteria can be easily distinguished from each other and from all other known bacteria.

Description of Centrotype Strains

Strain 1E.1^(CT) (Cluster 1)

An aerobic, motile, Gram-negative rod-shaped bacterium, 1.7-3.3 μm×0.5-0.7 μm.

Obligate alkaliphile, grows best between pH 9 and pH 10.

On alkaline-agar, (Medium A) forms smooth, cream colored colonies, initially translucent but becoming opaque after a few days. The colonies are circular, entire and convex, 2-3 mm in diameter.

In alkaline-broth, (Medium A) growth (37° C.) is flocculent with the formation of a sediment and surface pellicle.

Grows well between 20° C. and 40° C. Grows slowly at 10°-15° C. No growth at 8° C. or 45° C.

    ______________________________________                                         KOH test:         positive                                                     Aminopeptidase:   weak positive                                                Oxidase:          negative                                                     Catalase:         positive                                                     NaCl tolerance:   0% to <8%. No growth at 8%                                   Hydrolysis of Gelatin:                                                                           positive                                                     Hydrolysis of Starch:                                                                            positive                                                     Major polar lipid components:                                                                    phosphatidylglycerol                                                           diphosphatidylglycerol                                                         phosphatidylglycerol phosphate                                                 phosphatidylethanolamine                                     Major ubiquinone: Q9                                                           Major fatty acids:                                                                               C16:0, C18:0, 11-cis C18:1                                   ______________________________________                                    

Chemoorganotroph. Grows on complex substrates such as yeast extract and peptones. Growth on simple sugars and organic acids very restricted (e.g., growth only observed on ribose, sucrose and pyruvate).

Strain 45E.3^(CT) (Cluster 2)

An aerobic, Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium, 3-4.5 μm×0.6 μm. Motile by a single polar flagellum.

Obligate alkaliphile growing between pH 7.8 and pH 11.2. On alkaline-agar, (Medium A) forms smooth, opaque, cream colored colonies, 1-2 mm in diameter. The colonies are circular, convex and entire.

In alkaline-broth, (Medium A) growth (37° C.) is slow, slight with an even turbidity, surface pellicle and no sediment.

Grows well between 20° C. and 40° C. Grows slowly at 10° C. No growth at 8° C. or 45° C.

    ______________________________________                                         KOH test:        positive                                                      Aminopeptidase:  positive                                                      Oxidase:         positive                                                      Catalase:        positive                                                      NaCl tolerance:  0% to 12%. Growth at 12% is slow                                               No growth at 15%                                              Hydrolysis of Gelatin:                                                                          positive                                                      Hydrolysis of Starch:                                                                           positive (weak)                                               Major polar lipid components:                                                                   phosphatidylglycerol                                                           diphosphatidylglycerol                                                         phosphatidylglycerol phosphate                                                 phosphatidylethanolamine                                                       glycolipid (α-naphthol positive)                        Major ubiquinone:                                                                               Q9                                                            Major fatty acids:                                                                              C16:0, C18:0, 11-cis C18:1                                    ______________________________________                                    

Chemoorganotroph. Grows on complex substrates such as yeast extract and peptones. No growth on simple sugars. Grows on organic acids (e.g., fumarate, succinate, pyruvate, acetate, lactate) and some fatty acids (e.g., propionate, valerate) and amino acids (e.g., proline, alanine, phenylalanine).

Strain 28N.1^(CT) (Cluster 3)

An aerobic, motile, Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium, 4.8-5.5 μm×0.6-0.8 μm. Obligate alkaliphile growing between pH 8.5 and pH 10.7.

On alkaline-agar, (Medium A) forms smooth, circular, opaque colonies with a stringy texture. The colonies have a convex elevation and entire margin. The colony color is initially cream/beige becoming pink after a few days.

In alkaline-broth, (Medium A) growth (37° C.) is heavy, flocculent with a surface pellicle and a sediment.

Grows well between 20° C. and 45° C. Grows slowly at 10° C. and 15° C. No growth at 50° C.

    ______________________________________                                         KOH test:         positive                                                     Aminopeptidase:   positive                                                     Oxidase:          positive                                                     Catalase:         positive                                                     NaCl tolerance:   0% to 12%. No growth at 15%                                  Hydrolysis of Gelatin:                                                                           negative                                                     Hydrolysis of Starch:                                                                            positive                                                     Major polar lipid components:                                                                    phosphatidylglycerol                                                           diphosphatidylglycerol                                                         phosphatidylglycerol sulphate                                                  phosphatidylethanolamine                                     Major ubiquinone: Q6                                                           Major fatty acids:                                                                               C16:0, C16:1, 11-cis C18:1                                   G + C:            64.1 mol % (HPLC)                                            ______________________________________                                    

Chemoorganotroph. Grows well on complex substrates such as yeast extract and peptones. Grows on simple sugars, organic acids, fatty acids and amino acids.

Strain wB4^(CT) (cluster 4)

An aerobic, Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium, 3-4 μm×0.6-0.8 μm, frequently occurring as pairs of cells.

Alkaliphile, grows well between pH 7.5 and pH 10.9.

On alkaline-agar, (Medium A) forms smooth, beige to brown colonies. The colonies are somewhat variable: 1 to >5 mm in size, circular to irregular in form, low convex or raised in elevation with an undulate or entire margin.

In alkaline broth, (Medium A) growth (37° C.) is flocculent, sediment forming with a surface pellicle.

Grows best between 15° C. and 45° C., no growth at 50° C.

    ______________________________________                                         KOH test:         positive                                                     Aminopeptidase:   positive                                                     Oxidase:          very weakly positive,                                                          may be seen as negative                                      Catalase:         positive                                                     NaCl tolerance:   0% to ≧12%, no growth at 15%                          Hydrolysis of Gelatin:                                                                           negative                                                     Hydrolysis of Starch:                                                                            negative                                                     Major polar lipid components:                                                                    phosphatidylglycerol                                                           diphosphatidylglycerol                                                         phosphatidylglycerol phosphate                                                 phosphatidylethanolamine                                     Major ubiquinone: Q9                                                           Major fatty acids:                                                                               C16:0, 11-cis C18:1                                          G + C:            65.3 mol % (T.sub.M)                                         ______________________________________                                    

Chemoorganotroph. Grows well on complex substrates such as yeast extract. Growth on simple sugars is restricted. Grows on organic acids (e.g., lactate, acetate, fumarate), fatty acids (e.g., propionate, valerate, caprate) and amino acids (e.g., proline, serine, lysine).

Strain 17N.1^(CT) (cluster 5)

An aerobic, Gram-negative, long, thin, rod-shaped, bacterium, 5.5-10.5 μm×0.6 μm, sometimes forming short chains of cells. With age pleomorphic, peculiar swollen forms predominate.

Obligate alkaliphile, grows best between pH 8 and pH 10.5.

On alkaline-agar, (Medium A) forms smooth, opaque, yellow, colonies, 2-3 mm in diameter. The colonies vary from circular to irregular in form, with a convex to umbonate elevation, and entire, undulate or lobate margin, depending upon age.

In alkaline-broth (Medium A), growth (37° C.) is even and sediment forming with no surface pellicle.

Grows well between 15° C. and 37° C. Grows slowly at 10° C. and not at all at 8° C. No growth at 40° C. or above.

    ______________________________________                                         KOH test:        positive                                                      Aminopeptidase:  weakly positive                                               Oxidase:         negative                                                      Catalase:        positive                                                      NaCl tolerance:  0% to <12%, grows best at 0% NaCl                             Hydrolysis of Gelatin:                                                                          positive                                                      Hydrolysis of Starch:                                                                           weakly positive                                               Major polar lipid components:                                                                   phosphatidylglycerol                                                           diphosphatidylglycerol                                                         phosphatidylglycerol phosphate                                                 phosphatidylethanolamine                                                       glycolipid (α-naphthol positive)                        Major ubiquinone:                                                                               Q9, Q10                                                       Major fatty acids:                                                                              C15:0 anteiso, C16:0, C17:0 anteiso                           G + C:           50.0 mol % (HPLC)                                             ______________________________________                                    

Chemoorganotroph. Grows well on complex substrates such as yeast extract. Growth on simple sugars is restricted (e.g., growth observed only on fructose; no growth observed on glucose, ribose, lactose). Grows on organic acids (e.g., fumarate, succinate, pyruvate, 2-ketogluconate) and amino acids.

Strain 64B.4^(CT) (cluster 6)

An aerobic, Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium 2.0-3.5 μm×0.8-1.0 μm.

Obligate alkaliphile, grows best between pH 8.2 and pH 10.9.

On alkaline-agar, (Medium A) forms smooth, opaque colonies, first creamy yellow in color, becoming beige with age. The colonies are about 4 mm in diameter, circular becoming irregular; flat or low convex in elevation becoming convex; with an entire margin becoming undulate.

In alkaline-broth (Medium A), growth (37° C.) is sediment forming with no surface pellicle.

Grows well at 15° C. to 45° C., no growth at 10° C. or 50° C.

    ______________________________________                                         KOH test:        positive                                                      Aminopeptidase:  negative                                                      Oxidase:         positive                                                      Catalase:        positive                                                      NaCl tolerance:  0% to ≦12%, no growth at 15%                           Hydrolysis of Gelatin:                                                                          positive                                                      Hydrolysis of Starch:                                                                           weakly positive                                               Major polar lipid components:                                                                   phosphatidylglycerol                                                           diphosphatidylglycerol                                                         phosphatidylglycerol phosphate                                                 phosphatidylethanolamine                                                       glycolipid (α-naphthol positive)                        Major ubiquinone:                                                                               Q9                                                            Major fatty acids:                                                                              C15:0 iso, C15:0 anteiso, C16:0                               G + C:           41.0 ± 0.9 mol % (HPLC)                                    ______________________________________                                    

Chemoorganotroph. Grows well on complex substances such as yeast extract. Grows on some simple sugars (e.g., glucose, ribose, maltose and fructose), organic acids (e.g., acetate, lactate, citrate and fumarate), some fatty acids (e.g., propionate and caprate) and amino acids (e.g., proline, histidine and alanine).

Non-Clustering Strains

The strains which do not fall into the clusters defined here are also novel bacteria not previously known or described. These strains, coded wN2, 4E.1, 5E.1, 92LM.4 and wBn5, may represent rarer varieties of alkaliphilic bacteria and are probably members of clusters of bacteria representing new genera and species at present not described. A description of these "non-clustering" strains has been made so as to be able to distinguish these organisms from all other bacteria previously known and described.

Strain wN2

An aerobic, Gram-negative, motile, rod-shaped bacterium, frequently in pairs.

Obligate alkaliphile, grows best between pH 9 and pH 10.

On alkaline-agar, (Medium A) forms smooth, translucent, beige colored colonies, 1-2 mm in diameter. The colonies are circular, convex with an entire margin.

In alkaline-broth (Medium A), growth (37° C.) is flocculent with a ring or surface pellicle and formation of a sediment.

Grows well at 20° C. to 30° C. No growth at 15° C. or 40° C.

    ______________________________________                                         KOH test:      positive                                                        Aminopeptidase:                                                                               weak positive                                                   Oxidase:       weak positive                                                   Catalase:      positive                                                        NaCl tolerance:                                                                               obligate halophile, growth at 4% NaCl                                          no growth at 0% or 8% NaCl                                      Hydrolysis of Gelatin:                                                                        slow positive                                                   Hydrolysis of Starch:                                                                         positive                                                        Major ubiquinone:                                                                             Q9                                                              G + C:         64.1 (T.sub.M)                                                  ______________________________________                                    

Chemoorganotroph. Metabolically unreactive. No growth on simple sugars or organic acids. Grows on complex substrates such as yeast extract and peptones, and on some amino acids.

Strain 4E.1

An aerobic, Gram-negative, motile, rod-shaped bacterium, 1.7-5.2 μm×0.75 μm.

Obligate alkaliphile, grows best between pH 8.2 and pH 10.9.

On alkaline-agar, (Medium A) forms smooth, opaque, beige or brown colored colonies, 2-4 mm in diameter. The colonies are circular in form, convex in elevation, with an entire margin.

In alkaline-broth (Medium A), growth (37° C.) is heavy and flocculent with a sediment and surface pellicle.

Grows well between 20° C. and 37° C. Grows very slowly at 10° C. and not at all at 8° C. No growth at 40° C. or above.

    ______________________________________                                         KOH test:    positive                                                          Aminopeptidase:                                                                             positive                                                          Oxidase:     very weakly positive, can appear negative                         Catalase:    positive                                                          NaCl tolerance:                                                                             0% to 12%, may grow weakly at 15%                                              no growth at 20%                                                  Hydrolysis of Gelatin:                                                                      negative                                                          Hydrolysis of Starch:                                                                       negative                                                          ______________________________________                                    

Chemoorganotroph. Does not grow on simple sugars, except for ribose. Grows well on complex substrates such as yeast extract, and on organic acids (e.g., succinate, pyruvate, citrate, malonate, acetate and lactate), fatty acids (e.g., propionate, valerate and suberate), and amino acids (e.g., proline, serine, histidine and lysine).

Strain 5E.1

An aerobic, Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium, 3.0-5.3 m×1.3 μm.

Obligate alkaliphile, grows best between pH 9 and pH 10.5.

On alkaline-agar, (Medium A) forms smooth, opaque, brown colored colonies, 3-4 mm in diameter. The colonies are fairly irregular in form, generally flat to slightly umbonate in elevation with a lobate margin.

In alkaline-broth (Medium A), growth (37° C.) is moderate to heavy, becoming flocculent with a sediment and surface pellicle.

Grows well between 20° C. and 40° C. Grows slowly at 10° C. No growth at 45° C.

    ______________________________________                                         KOH test:        positive                                                      Aminopeptidase:  positive                                                      Oxidase:         negative                                                      Catalase:        positive                                                      NaCl tolerance:  0% to 12%, may grow weakly at 15%                                              no growth at 20%                                              Hydrolysis of Gelatin:                                                                          positive                                                      Hydrolysis of Starch:                                                                           weakly positive                                               Major polar lipid components:                                                                   phosphatidylglycerol                                                           diphosphatidylglycerol                                                         phosphatidylglycerol phosphate                                                 phosphatidylglycerol sulphate                                                  phosphatidylethanolamine                                                       glycolipid (α-naphthol positive)                        Major ubiquinone:                                                                               Q8                                                            Major fatty acids:                                                                              C16:0, C18:1                                                  ______________________________________                                    

Chemoorganotroph. Does not grow on simple sugars. Grows well on complex substrates such as yeast extract, organic acids (e.g., pyruvate, citrate, acetate and lactate), fatty acids (e.g., propionate, caprate and valerate) and amino acids (e.g., proline, alanine and lysine).

Strain 92LM.4

An aerobic, Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium, 2.0-3.5 μm×0.5-1.0 μm.

Obligate alkaliphile, no growth below pH 7.5.

On alkaline-agar, (Medium A) forms smooth, cream colored colonies, initially translucent but becoming opaque. The colonies develop from circular, entire to irregular, lobate in form, with a convex elevation.

In alkaline-broth (Medium A), growth (37° C.) is slow, slight, flocculent with a sediment but no surface pellicle.

Grows between 10° C. and 40° C., no growth at 8° C. or 45° C.

    ______________________________________                                         KOH test:      positive                                                        Aminopeptidase:                                                                               negative                                                        Oxidase:       positive                                                        Catalase:      positive                                                        NaCl tolerance:                                                                               0% to 15%, growth at 15% is slow                                               no growth at 20%                                                Hydrolysis of Gelatin:                                                                        positive                                                        Hydrolysis of Starch:                                                                         weakly positive                                                 Major ubiquinone:                                                                             Q9                                                              Major fatty acids:                                                                            C15:0 iso, C15:0 anteiso,                                                      C16:0, C17:0 iso                                                ______________________________________                                    

Chemoorganotroph. Grows on complex substrates such as yeast extract and peptones, and a variety of sugars, organic acids and amino acids.

Strain wBn5

An aerobic, Gram-negative, small, rod-shaped bacterium, frequently forming short chains of cells.

Obligate alkaliphile, no growth below pH 8.

On alkaline-agar, (Medium A) forms smooth, circular, convex colonies with an entire margin, about 1 mm in diameter. The colonies are initially cream/beige, transparent becoming opaque, brown.

In alkaline-broth (Medium A), growth (37° C.) is initially evenly turbid with a sediment but no surface pellicle becoming after 4 days flocculent with formation of a pellicle.

Grows at 30° C. and 37° C. No growth at 40° C.

    ______________________________________                                         KOH test:      positive                                                        aminopeptidaes:                                                                               positive                                                        Oxidase:       positive                                                        Catalase:      positive                                                        NaCl tolerance:                                                                               obligate halophile. Growth at 4% NaCl                                          no growth at 0% or 8%                                           Hydrolysis of Gelatin:                                                                        slow positive                                                   Hydrolysis of Starch:                                                                         negative                                                        Major ubiquinone:                                                                             Q8, Q9                                                          G + C:         54.6 mol % (T.sub.M)                                            ______________________________________                                    

Chemoorganotroph. Grows on a range of complex substrates such as yeast extract and peptones, as well as sugars, organic acids, fatty acids and amino acids.

Cluster Definition by the Calculation of the Minimum Number of Discriminatory Tests, and the Construction of a Probability Matrix for the Identification of Gram-Negative Alkaliphiles

One of the purposes of a numerical classification study is to use the phenetic data, which defines the clusters at a selected similarity level, for the assignment or identification of unknown strains. The classification test data cam be used to determine the minimum set of tests which are required to define the clusters at the 73% (S_(G)) similarity level, and to identify those characters which are most diagnostic (predictive) for the individual clusters. In other words, the minimum number of tests required to assign an unknown organism to a pre-determined cluster with a high degree of predictability.

From the minimum discriminatory tests, a probability matrix can be constructed for the identification of unknown strains. The analysis is achieved by using a combination of the CHARSEP and DIACHAR (TAXPAK) and MCHOICE (not on TAXPAK but available by Data-Mail from the University of Leicester, U.K.) programs. An evaluation of the identification matrix is provided by using the MOSTTYP and OVERMAT programs. Practical examples of the use of these programs for the probabilistic identification of bacteria have been published by Williams, S. T., et al., (1983), J. Gen. Microbiol., 129, pp. 1815-1830; and Priest, F. G. and Alexander, B., (1988), J. Gen. Microbiol., 134, pp. 3011-3018; ibid, (1990), 136, pp. 367-376.

A "n×t" table was constructed from the test data using characters 6 to 10 and 13 to 104 (Appendix C) scored in binary notation (positive=1, negative=0). This data matrix was supplemented with the following four extra character states:

105! Bright yellow colonies (character number 1, Appendix C)

106! Translucent colonies (grown on Medium A, Appendix A)

107! Lipase (lipolytic activity on olive oil (Medium M))

108! Oxidase positive within 10 secs. (test 9, Appendix B)

The data matrix is first examined using the CHARSEP program which calculates separation indices and thus the diagnostic value of the individual characters for discriminating between the clusters. Tests with a VSP index>25% (Sneath, P. H. A., (1979), Computers and Geosciences, 5, 349-357) are accepted, characters with a low diagnostic value (VSP<25%) were rejected. A preference is made for characters with the highest VSP indices, provided that the criteria in the DIACHAR and MCHOICE programs are also met. In this example, 38 tests have a VSP index >25%, and 9 of the 24 characters finally chosen have a VSP index >50% (Table 11).

The data matrix is next re-examined by means of the DIACHAR program, which determines the most diagnostic character states of each of the clusters. The number of character states was set at 10. This result allows the choice of mutually exclusive character states between the clusters. As many of these tests as possible are retained in the final identification matrix of minimum discriminatory tests; in this example between 6 and 9 diagnostic characters per cluster. The remaining, unused tests are also noted and may be applied as additional tests for the confirmation of identification (Table 12).

The MCHOICE program ranks the tests in groups which can be displayed in the form of a dendrogram using the MDEND sub-routine. The groups identify tests with similar discriminatory value, thus allowing the rejection of tests which fail to make a significant discrimination as well as allowing choices to be made between tests of equal or very similar diagnostic value.

Table 13 shows the set of 24 tests which is the minimum number required to define the clusters and which can be used for the assignment of unknown strains. In addition, Table 13 shows the identification matrix which consists of the percentage of positive characters which define the clusters on the basis of the 24 minimum discriminatory tests. This is computed by the IDMAT program.

                  TABLE 14                                                         ______________________________________                                         Separation Values of Characters used for the                                   Minimum Discriminatory Tests                                                   CHARACTER       VSP Index                                                      ______________________________________                                           23! N-acetylglucosamine                                                                      35.4                                                             26! Saccharose                                                                               44.8                                                             27! Maltose   41.4                                                             32! Lactate   51.6                                                             41! Propionate                                                                               60.9                                                             43! Valerate  63.4                                                             44! Citrate   45.1                                                             45! Histidine 38.0                                                             47! Glycogen  31.7                                                             51! 3-hydroxybutyrate                                                                        66.1                                                             52! 4-hydroxybenzoate                                                                        38.0                                                             58! Leucine arylamidase                                                                      36.6                                                             59! Valine arylamidase                                                                       50.5                                                             64! Phosphohydrolase                                                                         52.8                                                           galactosidase   33.9                                                             85! Ampicillin                                                                               36.8                                                             92! Fusidic Acid                                                                             68.7                                                             93! Methicillin                                                                              58.3                                                             99! Polymixin 62.8                                                            102! Vancomycin                                                                               48.3                                                           ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 15                                                         ______________________________________                                         Discriminatory Tests for Each of the Six Clusters (S.sub.G)                    Positive           Negative                                                    ______________________________________                                         Cluster 1: cream, circular, opaque, mucoid colonies.                             58! Leucine arylamidase (91%)                                                                     23! N-acetylglucosamine (9%)                                59! Valine arylamidase (91%)                                                                      27! Maltose (9%)                                            64! Phosphohydrolase (91%)                                                                        41! Propionate (9%)                                         99! Polymixin (89%)                                                                               42! Caprate                                                                    43! Valerate (9%)                                                              44! Citrate (9%)                                                               45! Histidine                                                                  47! Glycogen (9%)                                                              52! 4-hydroxybenzoate                                     galactosidase        65! α                                               Cluster 2: small, cream, translucent colonies.                                   21! Starch         23! N-acetylglucosamine                                     31! Acetate        26! Saccharose                                              41! Propionate     45! Histidine                                               43! Valerate       50! 2-ketogluconate                                         53! Proline        52! 4-hydroxybenzoate                                     glucosidasee         68! α                                                108! Oxidase (within 10 secs.)                                                glucosidase          69! β                                                                     92! Fusidic Acid                                          Cluster 3: cream, opaque colonies.                                               31! Acetate        64! Phosphohydrolase (3%)                                 galactosidase (3%)   65! α                                                 41! Propionate (94%)                                                                              92! Fusidic Acid (3%)                                       43! Valerate (97%)                                                                                96! Tetracycline (3%)                                       44! Citrate (94%)                                                                                102! Vancomycin                                              51! 3-hydroxybutyrate (94%)                                                                      104! Bacitracin                                              53! Proline                                                                    58! Leucine arylamidase (94%)                                                Cluster 4: beige to brown, opaque colonies.                                      32! Lactate        45! Histidine                                               33! Alanine        85! Ampicillin                                              48! 3-hydroxybutyrate                                                                             86! Naladixic acid                                          59! Valine arylamidase                                                                            88! Trimethoprim                                            99! Polymixin      89! Penicillin G                                                               93! Methicillin                                           Cluster 5: bright yellow  105!, opaque colonies.                                 64! Phosphohydrolase                                                                              23! N-acetylglucosamine                                   galactosidase        32! Lactate                                               galactosidase        33! L-alanine                                               85! Ampicillin     34! Mannitol                                                92! Fusidic Acid   41! Propionate                                              93! Methicillin    42! Caprate                                                 96! Tetracyclinee                                                                                 43! Valerate                                               102! Vancomycin     45! Histidine                                              104! Bacitracin     48! 3-hydroxybenzoate                                                          51! 3-hydroxybutyrate                                                          52! 4-hydroxybenzoate                                                          99! Polymixin                                             Cluster 6: cream, irregular, flat colonies.                                      21! Starch         17! Pyruvate                                                23! N-acetylglucosamine                                                                           52! 4-hydroxybenzoate                                       26! Saccharose     58! Leucine arylamidase                                     27! Maltose        59! Valine arylamidase                                    galactosidase        65! α                                                 33! Alanine        99! Polymixin                                               44! Citrate                                                                    47! Glycogen                                                                   51! 3-hydroxybutyrate                                                          89! Penicillin G                                                               92! Fusidic Acid                                                               93! Methicillin                                                                96! Tetracyclinee                                                             104! Bacitracin                                                               ______________________________________                                          Note:                                                                          The numbers in square brackets proceeding the character state refers to        the character states and unit tests in Appendices B and C. The percentage      in parenthesis refers to positive character states.                      

                                      TABLE 16                                     __________________________________________________________________________     A Probability Matrix for the Identification of Alkaliphiles:                   Percentage Distribution of Positive Discriminatory Characters                  Which Define the Clusters of Gram-Negative Alkaliphilic Bacteria               at the 73% Level (S.sub.G)                                                                 CLUSTER                                                            TEST        1   2   3   4   5   6                                              __________________________________________________________________________       23! N-acetylglucosamine                                                                  13  0   26  20  0   100                                              26! Saccharose                                                                           25  0   74  20  25  100                                              27! Maltose                                                                              25  0   68  60  50  100                                              32! Lactose                                                                              38  50  100 100 0   40                                               41! Propionate                                                                           0   100 91  60  0   80                                               43! Valerate                                                                             13  100 97  80  0   40                                               44! Citrate                                                                              13  50  94  20  50  100                                              45! Histidine                                                                            0   0   71  0   0   80                                               47! Glycogen                                                                             0   13  26  20  25  100                                              51! 3-hydroxybutyrate                                                                    13  25  94  100 0   100                                              52! 4-hydroxybenzoate                                                                    0   0   71  80  0   0                                                58! Leucine arylamidase                                                                  88  63  94  60  50  0                                                59! Valine arylamidase                                                                   88  25  65  100 25  0                                                64! Phosphohydrolase                                                                     88  13  3   20  75  40                                             galactosidase                                                                              0   0   3   20  75  0                                                85! Ampicillin                                                                           50  63  56  0   100 80                                               92! Fusidic Acid                                                                         25  0   3   20  100 100                                              93! Methicillin                                                                          50  13  50  0   100 100                                              99! Polymixin                                                                            88  50  81  100 0   0                                               102! Vancomycin                                                                           13  13  3   20  100 75                                              105! Yellow colony                                                                        0   0   0   0   100 0                                               106! Translucent colony                                                                   0   100 3   0   0   0                                               107! Lipase                                                                               0   100 21  0   0   0                                               108! Oxidase (10 secs)                                                                    25  88  6   0   0   0                                              __________________________________________________________________________

Evaluation of the Discriminatory Tests and Assessment of the Reliability of Identification

The evaluation of the discriminatory tests has two aspects. Firstly, the validity of the tests can be analyzed using practical examples, which can be further evaluated using statistical theory, or the tests can be directly subjected to theoretical assessment using statistical methods.

Illustration 1 A Practical Evaluation of the Discriminatory Tests

Many workers assess the accuracy of the discriminatory tests only by redetermining the character states of selected cluster representatives. This approach has been used here for the centrotype strains (see below). A far more stringent approach which is seldom applied, is to examine all the strains which were used in the original numerical taxonomic analysis. When subjected to cluster analysis using only the data acquired from the derived set of minimum discriminatory tests, the reconstructed dendrogram can be compared with the original. Using only the 24 discriminatory tests previously described (Table 16), the data (two-state, binary form) for all 70 of the novel Gram-negative alkaliphilic bacteria were subjected to cluster analysis by the S_(G) /UPGMA method. The reconstructed dendrogram is reproduced in FIG. 3. This reconstructed dendrogram compares very favorably with the original dendrogram (FIG. 1).

Although there has been some rearrangement of position of the clusters, their composition is largely unchanged and they are defined at approximately the same similarity level as the original. Cluster 4 however, has combined with Cluster 3, with a single strain moving to Cluster 1. This further serves to emphasize the difficulty of defining Cluster 4 on phenetic data alone. It has been stressed several times that supplementary chemotaxonomic data are required to make the proper distinction between Cluster 3 and Cluster 4.

In both the original dendrogram and the reconstruction (FIG. 3), Cluster 3 appears to comprise several sub-clusters above the 73% similarity level. The fine structure of cluster 3 is also supported by the chemotaxonomic data (see above).

Illustration 2 A Theoretical Evaluation of the Discriminatory Tests

An assessment of cluster overlap is achieved using the OVERMAT program. This program examines the matrix constructed from the percentage positive values for the selected character states against a critical overlap value by considering the clusters defined by the coordinates of the centroid and the cluster radius (twice root mean square of the distances of the strains from the centroid). If there is significant overlap between the clusters, unknown strains may not identify with sufficient confidence to any one of them (Sneath, P. H. A. and Sokal, R. R., supra, p. 394-400). At a chosen critical overlap value of 2.5% (which is a more stringent condition than is used by most workers: see Priest, F. G. and Alexander, B., (1988), supra; and Williams, S. T. et al., (1983), supra) there was no significant overlap between the clusters (95% confidence level) except between Cluster 3 and Cluster 4 where the actual overlap was calculated to be 4%. However, chemotaxonomic data (see above) was not taken into account when constructing the identification matrix. On the basis of quinone analyses, strains from Cluster 3 can be distinguished from the strains of Cluster 4.

Illustration 3 A Theoretical Assessment of the Reliability of Identification

The hypothetical median organism (HMO) is another estimate of the "average" organism in a cluster (Sneath, P. H. A. and Sokal, R. R., supra, pp. 194 et seq.). A HMO is not a real strain but a hypothetical organism possessing the most common state for each character. The MOSTTYP program calculates HMO's for each cluster in the identification matrix and then attempts to identify them. In other words, MOSTTYP is a program to evaluate an identification matrix by calculating identification scores of the most typical strains against the clusters. A good identification matrix should give a high probability of a HMO being reassigned to its own cluster. The results of this analysis were very satisfactory (Table 17), especially since MOSTTYP was programed to consider only the first 20 diagnostic tests of the identification matrix (Table 16), i.e. excluding tests 105-108. Each HMO was reassigned to its original cluster with Willcox probabilities of 0.998-1.000 (Willcox, W. R. et al., (1973) J. Gen. Microbiol., 77, 317-330). The Taxonomic Distances were all low and the standard errors of the Taxonomic Distance were all negative, indicating that the HMO's were all closer to the centroid of the cluster than the average for the cluster (Table 17).

                  TABLE 17                                                         ______________________________________                                         Identification Scores for the Hypothetical Median Organism                     of each cluster provided by the MOSTTYP Program                                Identification Score                                                                   Willcox     Taxonomic Standard Error or                                CLUSTER Probability Distance  Taxonomic Distance                               ______________________________________                                         1       0.999       0.194     -2.742                                           2       0.999       0.236     -2.214                                           3       1.000       0.231     -2.115                                           4       0.998       0.195     -2.998                                           5       1.000       0.217     -1.839                                           6       1.000       0.182     -2.502                                           ______________________________________                                    

Illustration 4 A Practical Evaluation of Identification Score

Identification of strains using the minimum set of discriminatory tests is achieved using the MATIDEN program in TAXPAX. The program compares presence-absence data for an unknown strain against each cluster in turn in an identification matrix of percentage positive characters. Identification coefficients are computed, namely Willcox probability, Taxonomic Distance and the Standard Error of the Taxonomic Distance. The results are displayed, showing the identification scores to the best cluster and to the two next best alternative clusters. Additionally, the atypical results ("characters against") are recorded. In an analysis using data from real strains, the centrotypes were reassigned to their original clusters with Willcox probabilities of 0.9996-1.000 (Table 18). The Taxonomic Distances were low. The Standard Errors of the Taxonomic Distance were all negative indicating that the centrotypes were closer to the centroid of the cluster than the average for the cluster.

                  TABLE 18                                                         ______________________________________                                         Identification Scores for the Centrotype Organisms of                          Each Cluster Provided by the MATIDEN Program                                                Identification Score                                              Clus-         Assigned Willcox Taxonomic                                                                              Standard                                ter  Strain   to Cluster                                                                              Probability                                                                            Distance (D)                                                                           Error of D                              ______________________________________                                         1    2E.1     1        1.000   0.309   -0.283                                  2    45E.3.sup.CT                                                                            2        1.000   0.226   -1.749                                  3    28N.1.sup.CT                                                                            3        1.000   0.305   -0.622                                  4    wB4.sup.CT                                                                              4        0.9996  0.265   -1.092                                  5    17N.1.sup.CT                                                                            5        0.9999  0.255   -0.478                                  6    64N.4.sup.CT                                                                            6        1.000   0.211   -1.126                                  ______________________________________                                    

Illustration 5 Identification of Unknown Isolates

The identification matrix was assessed for the ability to assign unknown Gram-negative alkaliphiles to the clusters defined herein. The criteria for a successful identification were:

(a) bacteria isolated from a habitat similar to, but geographically separate from, the East African soda lakes;

(b) a Willcox probability greater than 0.95 and low values for Taxonomic Distance and its standard error (<3);

(c) an identification score to the best cluster significantly better than those against the two next best alternatives;

(d) "characters against" the best cluster should be zero or few in number.

Unknown microorganisms may be examined using the minimum tests listed in Table 16. The character states are determined and identification scores obtained using the MATIDEN program. This program compares the character states of the unknown with the identification matrix determined for all of the predetermined clusters, computes the best match and assigns the unknown to the most appropriate cluster.

A Willcox probability is calculated to determine the acceptability of identification. Willcox probabilities of 0.85 and 0.95 have been accepted as criteria for a successful identification (Williams, S. T., et al. (1983), supra; Priest, F. G. and Alexander, B., (1988), supra). The Taxonomic Distance of the unknown from the cluster centroid is calculated and may be compared to the radius of the cluster. The Standard Error of the Taxonomic Distance should be less than the upper value of +3.0 suggested by Sneath, P. H. A. ((1979), pp. 195-213). Moreover, physical characteristics, additional biochemical data and chemotaxomomic markers may be used to further confirm the identity of the unknown in a particular cluster.

The results provided by these five illustrations, together with the statistical data provided by the numerical taxonomic analysis and the chemotaxonomic data, indicate a robust classification which identifies 6 major groups of new, Gram-negative, alkaliphilic bacteria.

Production and Application of Alkali-Tolerant Enzymes

The alkaliphilic microorganisms of the present invention produce a variety of alkali-tolerant enzymes. Examples of enzyme activities present in representative strains of the Gram-negative bacteria of the present invention may be found in Appendices D and E. These enzymes are capable of performing their functions at an extremely high pH, making them uniquely suited for their application in a variety of processes requiring such enzymatic activity in high pH environments or reaction conditions.

Examples of the various applications for alkali-tolerant enzymes are in detergent compositions, leather tanning, food treatment, waste treatment and in the textile industry. These enzymes may also be used for biotransformations, especially in the preparation of pure enantiomers.

The alkaliphilic bacteria of the present invention may easily be screened for the production of alkali-tolerant lipases, proteases and starch-degrading enzymes, inter alia, using the methods described herein.

The broth in which alkaliphilic bacteria are cultured typically contains one or more types of enzymatic activity. The broth containing the enzyme or enzymes may be used directly in the desired process after the removal of the bacteria therefrom by means of centrifugation or filtration, for example.

If desired, the culture filtrate may be concentrated by freeze drying, before or after dialysis, or by ultrafiltration. The enzymes may also be recovered by precipitation and filtration. Alternatively, the enzyme or enzymes contained in the broth may be isolated and purified by chromatographic means or by gel electrophoresis, for example, before being applied to the desired process. The exact methods used to treat the culture filtrate and/or to extract and/or purify the alkali-tolerant enzymes is not critical to the present invention, and may be determined by one skilled in the art.

The genes encoding alkali-tolerant enzymes of interest may be cloned and expressed in organisms capable of expressing the desired enzyme in a pure or easily recoverable form.

The following examples are provided to illustrate methods for the identification of Gram-negative alkaliphilic bacteria of the present invention, as well as methods of screening these alkaliphilic bacteria for the presence of various alkali-tolerant enzymes and methods for the subsequent production and application of these enzymes in industrial processes. These examples are not to be construed so as to limit the scope of the present invention.

EXAMPLE 1 Identification of Unknown Isolates

Six strains of Gram-negative, alkaliphilic bacteria were isolated from Mono Lake, a hypersaline, alkaline lake situated in California, U.S.A. (Javor, B., in Hypersaline Environments, Springer Verlag, Berlin and Heidelberg (1988), pp. 303-305). The strains were isolated from samples of partially submerged soda-encrusted wood, tufa and soda-soil collected from the environs of Mono Lake (Calif., U.S.A.) in May, 1990 by enrichment culture at 37° C. in Medium A (Appendix A). The six strains are described in Table 19. The strains were examined using 21 of the 24 minimum tests listed in Table 16. The character states were determined and identification scores obtained using the MATIDEN program. The results are outlined in Table 20.

                  TABLE 19                                                         ______________________________________                                         Alkaliphilic Strains from Mono Lake                                                    Colony               Cell                                              Strain                                                                               Sample  Color     Form  Elevation                                                                             Margin                                                                               Shape                               ______________________________________                                         ML005 tufa    beige     circular                                                                             convex entire                                                                               rod                                 ML104 wood    pink/beige                                                                               circular                                                                             convex entire                                                                               rod                                 ML203 wood    pink/beige                                                                               circular                                                                             convex entire                                                                               rod                                 ML206 wood    yellow    circular                                                                             convex entire                                                                               short                                                                          rod                                 ML301 soil    beige     circular                                                                             convex entire                                                                               rod                                 ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 20                                                         ______________________________________                                         Example of the Output from the MATIDEN Program to Identify                     Six Unknown Strains against the Identification Matrix                          ______________________________________                                         A. Reference Number of unknown is ML005                                                    Value in                                                                              Percent in:                                                 Character     unknown  Best Taxon                                                                               Next Best Taxon                               ______________________________________                                          23!  N-acetylglucos-                                                                            +        26      20                                                amine                                                                     26!  Saccharose  +        74      20                                           27!  Maltose     +        68      60                                           32!  Lactate     +        99      99                                           41!  Propionate  +        91      60                                           43!  Valerate    +        97      80                                           44!  Citrate     +        94      20                                           45!  Histidine   +        71      1                                            47!  Glycogen    +        26      20                                           51!  3-Hydroxy-  +        94      99                                                butyrate                                                                  52!  4-Hydroxyben-                                                                              -        71      80                                                zoate                                                                     58!  Leucine     +        94      60                                                arylamidase                                                               59!  Valine      +        65      99                                                arylamidase                                                               64!  Phosphohydrolase                                                                           -        3       20                                           65!  α-Galactosidase                                                                      n.t.     3       20                                           85!  Ampicillin  -        56      1                                            92!  Fusidic Acid                                                                               -        3       20                                           93!  Methicillin -        50      1                                            99!  Polymix     +        81      99                                           102! Vancomycin  -        3       20                                           105! Yellow colony                                                                              -        1       1                                            106! Translucent n.t.     3       1                                                 colony                                                                    107! Lipase      n.t.     21      1                                            108! Oxidase (10 sec.)                                                                          +        6       1                                           ______________________________________                                         Isolate ML005 best identification is Cluster 3. Scores                         for coefficients: 1 (Willcox probability), 2 (Taxonomic Distance),             3 (Standard Error of Taxonomic Distance).                                                1              2      3                                              ______________________________________                                         Cluster 3 0.9999         0.407  1.475                                          Cluster 4 0.8266 × 10.sup.-4                                                                      0.526  4.590                                          Cluster 2 0.4086 × 10.sup.-7                                                                      0.584  6.296                                          ______________________________________                                                       Cluster 3                                                        Characters against                                                                             % in Taxon                                                                               Value in unknown                                     ______________________________________                                          108! Oxidase (10 sec.)                                                                        6         +                                                    ______________________________________                                         Additional characters that assist in separating                                             Cluster 3 %  from   Cluster 4 %                                   ______________________________________                                          106! Translucent colony                                                                     3                  99                                             107! Lipase 21                  99                                            ______________________________________                                         B. Reference Number of unknown is ML104                                                    Value in                                                                              Percent in:                                                 Character     unknown  Best Taxon                                                                               Next Best Taxon                               ______________________________________                                          23!  N-acetylglucos-                                                                            -        13      1                                                 amine                                                                     26!  Saccharose  -        25      1                                            27!  Maltose     -        25      1                                            32!  Lactate     -        38      50                                           41!  Propionate  -        1       99                                           43!  Valerate    -        13      99                                           44!  Citrate     -        13      50                                           45!  Histidine   -        1       1                                            47!  Glycogen    -        1       13                                           51!  3-Hydroxy-  -        13      25                                                butyrate                                                                  52!  4-Hydroxyben-                                                                              -        1       1                                                 zoate                                                                     58!  Leucine     +        88      63                                                arylamidase                                                               59!  Valine      +        88      25                                                arylamidase                                                               64!  Phosphohydrolase                                                                           +        88      13                                           65!  α-Galactosidase                                                                      n.t.     1       1                                            85!  Ampicillin  -        50      63                                           92!  Fusidic Acid                                                                               -        25      1                                            93!  Methicillin -        50      13                                           99!  Polymix     +        88      50                                           102! Vancomycin  -        13      13                                           105! Yellow colony                                                                              -        1       1                                            106! Translucent n.t.     1       99                                                colony                                                                    107! Lipase      n.t.     1       99                                           108! Oxidase (10 sec.)                                                                          +        25      88                                          ______________________________________                                         Isolate ML104 best identification is Cluster 1. Scores                         for coefficients: 1 (Willcox probability), 2 (Taxonomic Distance),             3 (Standard Error of Taxonomic Distance).                                                1              2       3                                             ______________________________________                                         Cluster 1 0.9999         0.271   -1.108                                        Cluster 2 0.825 × 10.sup.-5                                                                       0.473   3.797                                         Cluster 4 0.407 × 10.sup.-7                                                                       0.534   4.767                                         ______________________________________                                                       Cluster 1                                                        Characters against                                                                             % in Taxon                                                                               Value in unknown                                     ______________________________________                                         (none)                                                                         ______________________________________                                         Additional characters that assist in separating                                             Cluster 1 %  from   Cluster 2 %                                   ______________________________________                                          106! Translucent colony                                                                    1            99                                                    107! Lipase 1            99                                                   ______________________________________                                                      Cluster 1 %  from   Cluster 4 %                                   ______________________________________                                         (none)                                                                         ______________________________________                                         C. Reference Number of unknown is ML201                                                    Value in                                                                              Percent in:                                                 Character     unknown  Best Taxon                                                                               Next Best Taxon                               ______________________________________                                          23!  N-acetylglucos-                                                                            -        1       13                                                amine                                                                     26!  Saccharose  -        25      25                                           27!  Maltose     -        50      25                                           32!  Lactate     -        1       38                                           41!  Propionate  -        1       1                                            43!  Valerate    -        1       13                                           44!  Citrate     -        50      13                                           45!  Histidine   -        1       1                                            47!  Glycogen    -        25      1                                            51!  3-Hydroxy-  -        1       13                                                butyrate                                                                  52!  4-Hydroxyben-                                                                              -        1       1                                                 zoate                                                                     58!  Leucine     +        50      88                                                arylamidase                                                               59!  Valine      +        25      88                                                arylamidase                                                               64!  Phosphohydrolase                                                                           +        75      88                                           65!  α-Galactosidase                                                                      n.t.     75      1                                            85!  Ampicillin  +        99      50                                           92!  Fusidic Acid                                                                               +        99      25                                           93!  Methicillin +        99      50                                           99!  Polymix     -        1       88                                           102! Vancomycin  +        99      13                                           105! Yellow colony                                                                              +        99      1                                            106! Translucent n.t.     1       1                                                 colony                                                                    107! Lipase      n.t.     1       1                                            108! Oxidase (10 sec.)                                                                          -        1       25                                          ______________________________________                                         Isolate ML201 best identification is Cluster 5. Scores                         for coefficients: 1 (Willcox probability), 2 (Taxonomic Distance),             3 (Standard Error of Taxonomic Distance).                                                1              2      3                                              ______________________________________                                         Cluster 5 0.9999         0.267  -0.176                                         Cluster 1 0.835 × 10.sup.-4                                                                       0.437  2.435                                          Cluster 2 .sup. 0.177 × 10.sup.-11                                                                0.641  7.593                                          ______________________________________                                                       Cluster 5                                                        Characters against                                                                             % in Taxon                                                                               Value in unknown                                     ______________________________________                                         (none)                                                                         ______________________________________                                         Additional characters that assist in separating                                             Cluster 5 %  from   Cluster 1 %                                   ______________________________________                                         Galactosidase                                                                               75                   1                                            ______________________________________                                                      Cluster 5 %  from   Cluster 2 %                                   ______________________________________                                         Galactosidase                                                                               75                   1                                             106! Translucent colony                                                                     1                  99                                             107! Lipase  1                  99                                            ______________________________________                                         D. Reference Number of unknown is ML203                                                    Value in                                                                              Percent in:                                                 Character     unknown  Best Taxon                                                                               Next Best Taxon                               ______________________________________                                          23!  N-acetylglucos-                                                                            +        26      20                                                amine                                                                     26!  Saccharose  +        74      20                                           27!  Maltose     +        68      60                                           32!  Lactate     +        99      99                                           41!  Propionate  +        91      60                                           43!  Valerate    +        97      80                                           44!  Citrate     +        94      20                                           45!  Histidine   +        71      1                                            47!  Glycogen    +        26      20                                           51!  3-Hydroxy-  +        94      99                                                butyrate                                                                  52!  4-Hydroxyben-                                                                              +        71      80                                                zoate                                                                     58!  Leucine     +        94      60                                                arylamidase                                                               59!  Valine      +        65      99                                                arylamidase                                                               64!  Phosphohydrolase                                                                           -        3       20                                           65!  α-Galactosidase                                                                      n.t.     3       20                                           85!  Ampicillin  -        56      1                                            92!  Fusidic Acid                                                                               -        3       20                                           93!  Methicillin -        50      1                                            99!  Polymix     +        81      99                                           102! Vancomycin  +        3       20                                           105! Yellow colony                                                                              -        1       1                                            106! Translucent n.t.     3       1                                                 colony                                                                    107! Lipase      n.t.     21      1                                            108! Oxidase (10 sec.)                                                                          +        6       1                                           ______________________________________                                         Isolate ML203 best identification is Cluster 3. Scores                         for coefficients: 1 (Willcox probability), 2 (Taxonomic Distance),             3 (Standard Error of Taxonomic Distance).                                                1              2      3                                              ______________________________________                                         Cluster 3 0.9989         0.437  2.076                                          Cluster 4 0.1090 × 10.sup.-2                                                                      0.526  4.590                                          Cluster 2 0.8137 × 10.sup.-9                                                                      0.650  7.793                                          ______________________________________                                                       Cluster 3                                                        Characters against                                                                             % in Taxon                                                                               Value in unknown                                     ______________________________________                                          102! Vancomycin                                                                               3         +                                                     108! Oxidase (10 sec.)                                                                        6         +                                                    ______________________________________                                         Additional characters that assist in separating                                             Cluster 3 %  from   Cluster 4 %                                   ______________________________________                                         (none)                                                                         ______________________________________                                         E. Reference Number of unknown is ML206                                                    Value in                                                                              Percent in:                                                 Character     unknown  Best Taxon                                                                               Next Best Taxon                               ______________________________________                                          23!  N-acetylglucos-                                                                            -        1       13                                                amine                                                                     26!  Saccharose  +        25      25                                           27!  Maltose     -        50      25                                           32!  Lactate     -        1       38                                           41!  Propionate  -        1       1                                            43!  Valerate    -        1       13                                           44!  Citrate     -        50      13                                           45!  Histidine   -        1       1                                            47!  Glycogen    +        25      1                                            51!  3-Hydroxy-  -        1       13                                                butyrate                                                                  52!  4-Hydroxyben-                                                                              -        1       1                                                 zoate                                                                     58!  Leucine     +        50      88                                                arylamidase                                                               59!  Valine      +        25      88                                                arylamidase                                                               64!  Phosphohydrolase                                                                           +        75      88                                           65!  α-Galactosidase                                                                      n.t.     75      1                                            85!  Ampicillin  +        99      50                                           92!  Fusidic Acid                                                                               +        99      25                                           93!  Methicillin +        99      50                                           99!  Polymix     -        1       88                                           102! Vancomycin  +        99      13                                           105! Yellow colony                                                                              +        99      1                                            106! Translucent n.t.     1       1                                                 colony                                                                    107! Lipase      n.t.     1       1                                            108! Oxidase (10 sec.)                                                                          -        1       25                                          ______________________________________                                         Isolate ML206 best identification is Cluster 5. Scores                         for coefficients: 1 (Willcox probability), 2 (Taxonomic Dis-                   tance), 3 (Standard Error of Taxonomic Distance).                                        1              2      3                                              ______________________________________                                         Cluster 5 0.9999         0.345  1.766                                          Cluster 1 0.2530 × 10.sup.-5                                                                      0.512  4.013                                          Cluster 6 .sup. 0.2531 × 10.sup.-13                                                               0.652  10.883                                         ______________________________________                                                       Cluster 5                                                        Characters against                                                                             % in Taxon                                                                               Value in unknown                                     ______________________________________                                         (none)                                                                         ______________________________________                                         Additional characters that assist in separating                                               Cluster 5 %                                                                               from   Cluster 1 %                                   ______________________________________                                         Galactosidase  75                1                                             ______________________________________                                         F. Reference Number of unknown is ML301                                                    Value in                                                                              Percent in:                                                 Character     unknown  Best Taxon                                                                               Next Best Taxon                               ______________________________________                                          23!  N-acetylglucos-                                                                            -        26      1                                                 amine                                                                     26!  Saccharose  +        74      1                                            27!  Maltose     +        68      1                                            32!  Lactate     +        99      50                                           41!  Propionate  +        91      99                                           43!  Valerate    +        97      99                                           44!  Citrate     +        94      50                                           45!  Histidine   +        71      1                                            47!  Glycogen    +        26      13                                           51!  3-Hydroxy-  +        94      25                                                butyrate                                                                  52!  4-Hydroxyben-                                                                              -        71      1                                                 zoate                                                                     58!  Leucine     +        94      63                                                arylamidase                                                               59!  Valine      +        65      25                                                arylamidase                                                               64!  Phosphohydrolase                                                                           -        3       13                                           65!  α-Galactosidase                                                                      n.t.     3       1                                            85!  Ampicillin  +        56      63                                           92!  Fusidic Acid                                                                               -        3       1                                            93!  Methicillin +        50      13                                           99!  Polymix     +        81      50                                           102! Vancomycin  -        3       13                                           105! Yellow colony                                                                              -        1       1                                            106! Translucent n.t.     3       99                                                colony                                                                    107! Lipase      n.t.     21      99                                           108! Oxidase (10 sec.)                                                                          +        6       88                                          ______________________________________                                         Isolate ML301 best identification is Cluster 3. Scores                         for coefficients: 1 (Willcox probability), 2 (Taxonomic Dis-                   tance), 3 (Standard Error of Taxonomic Distance).                                        1              2      3                                              ______________________________________                                         Cluster 3 1.000          0.429  1.918                                          Cluster 2 0.2841 × 10.sup.-6                                                                      0.603  6.731                                          Cluster 4 0.9313 × 10.sup.-8                                                                      0.623  6.704                                          ______________________________________                                                       Cluster 3                                                        Characters against                                                                             % in Taxon                                                                               Value in unknown                                     ______________________________________                                          108! Oxidase (10 sec.)                                                                        6         +                                                    ______________________________________                                         Additional characters that assist in separating                                             Cluster 3 %  from   Cluster 2 %                                   ______________________________________                                          106! Translucent colony                                                                     3                  99                                             107! Lipase 21                  99                                            ______________________________________                                          n.t. = not tested                                                        

EXAMPLE 2 Production of Proteolytic Enzymes

Two alkaliphilic strains (1E.1 and 9B.1) were tested for the production of proteolytic enzyme(s) in 7 different media poised at an alkaline pH. The experiments were carried out in 2 liter shake flasks with a baffle, each of the flasks contained 400 ml of the nutrient media R to X (Appendix A). The flasks were placed in an orbital incubator rotating at 280 revolutions per minute at a constant temperature of 37° C. Samples of culture media were removed from the flasks at intervals of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8 days for the determination of enzyme content which is expressed in Alkaline Delft Units (ADU--as described in British Patent Specification 1,353,317).

Table 21 presents the maximum enzyme yields and the pH of the cultivation medium at the moment at which the measurement of enzyme levels were made.

                  TABLE 21                                                         ______________________________________                                         Production of Proteolytic Enzymes                                                     STRAIN 1E.1.sup.CT                                                                           STRAIN 9B.1                                                                 pH of             pH of                                      MEDIUM   ADU/ml   MEDIUM     ADU/ml MEDIUM                                     ______________________________________                                         R        100      8.2        14     9.7                                        S        140      8.5        49     9.1                                        T        111      8.7        6      9.1                                        U        6        9.7        4      9.7                                        V        51       9.5        7      9.6                                        W        94       9.2        7      9.3                                        X        100      9.6        28     9.6                                        ______________________________________                                    

The results of the test clearly indicate the presence of proteolytic enzymes, produced by the alkaliphilic bacteria of the present invention, in the culture broth.

EXAMPLE 3 Wash Performance Test Using Proteolytic Enzymes

Enzyme preparations from the alkaliphilic bacteria were tested in a specially developed mini-wash test using cotton swatches (2.5×2.5 cm) soiled with milk, blood and ink (obtained from EMPA, St. Gallen, Switzerland, and designated EMPA 116). Prior to the wash test the swatches were pre-treated with a solution containing an anionic surfactant, sodium perborate and a bleach activator (TAED) at ambient temperature for 15 minutes. After this treatment the test swatches were rinsed in running demineralized water for 10 minutes and air-dried. This treatment results in the fixation of the soil, making its removal more difficult.

The washing tests were performed in 100 ml Erlenmeyer flasks provided with a baffle and containing 30 ml of a defined detergent composition plus 300 ADU protease to be tested. In each flask were placed two pre-treated EMPA 116 test swatches. The flasks were placed in a reciprocal shaking water bath (2 cm stroke) and agitated at 320 revolutions per minute. The tests were carried out at 40° C. for 30 minutes. After washing, the swatches were rinsed in running demineralized water for 10 minutes and air-dried. The reflectance of the test swatches was measured at 680 nm with a Photovolt photometer (Model 577) equipped with a green filter.

The wash performance of the supernatant fraction of cultures of various alkaliphilic bacteria in European powder detergents was determined according to the method specified above. The supernatant fractions were subjected to various treatments so as to produce enzyme-containing preparations.

100 ml Erlenmeyer flasks were charged with powder detergent IEC dissolved in standard tap water of 15° German Hardness so as to give a final concentration of 4 g per liter.

The composition of the powder detergent IEC was as follows:

    ______________________________________                                         Component              wt %                                                    ______________________________________                                         Linear sodium alkyl benzene sulphonate                                                                6.4                                                     (mean chain length of alkane chain (C11.5))                                    Ethoxylated tallow alcohol (14EO)                                                                     2.3                                                     Sodium soap            2.8                                                     Sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP)                                                                        35.0                                                    Sodium silicate        6.0                                                     Magnesium silicate     1.5                                                     Carboxy methyl cellulose                                                                              1.0                                                     Sodium sulphate        16.8                                                    Sodium perborate tetrahydrate                                                                         18.5                                                    TAED                   1.5                                                     Miscellaneous + water  up to 100                                               ______________________________________                                    

Standard tap water is composed of CaCl₂.2H₂ O, 0.291 g/l; MgCl.6H₂ O, 0.140 g/l and NaHCO₃, 0.210 g/l dissolved in demineralized water.

To each flask, two EMPA 116 swatches were added and sufficient enzyme-containing preparations to give a final activity of 300 ADU. The final volume of the sud was 30 ml. By way of comparison, one flask contained no enzyme preparation, which was replaced with water. The trial was repeated either two or three times. The results are shown in Table 22.

                  TABLE 22                                                         ______________________________________                                         Application Washing Trials                                                     Performance of Proteolytic Enzyme-Containing Preparations                      in a Washing Formulation.                                                      Preparation                                                                    from       Average Remission of EMPA 116 Test Swatches                         Strain     Trial 1      Trial 2 Trial 3                                        ______________________________________                                         Untreated Culture Supernatant                                                  None       11.4         11.8    13.0                                           (control)                                                                      1E.1.sup.CT                                                                               29.2         22.2    24.7                                           9B.1       23.7         23.9    24.2                                           17N.1.sup.CT            11.8    18.4                                           24B.1                   17.3    16.3                                           Freeze Dried Supernatant Fraction                                              None       10.4         11.8    13.0                                           (control)                                                                      1E.1.sup.CT                                                                               15.1         28.9    30.0                                           9B.1       21.7         14.9    17.4                                           17N.1.sup.CT            13.7    17.9                                           24B.1                   17.8    17.3                                           Dialyzed Supernatant Fractions                                                 None       11.4         11.8    13.0                                           (control)                                                                      1E.1.sup.CT                                                                               26.4         22.7    26.3                                           9B.1       18.7         16.7    17.0                                           17N.1.sup.CT            12.0    12.6                                           24B.1                   12.6    12.4                                           Ultrafiltration Concentrate of Supernatant Fractions                           None       10.4         11.4                                                   (control)                                                                      1E.1.sup.CT                                                                               14.6         26.0                                                   9B.1       15.5         16.1                                                   Acetone Precipitates of Supernatant Fractions                                  None       10.4         11.4                                                   (control)                                                                      1E.1.sup.CT                                                                               13.4         23.4                                                   9B.1       12.6         14.7                                                   ______________________________________                                    

The results of the trials demonstrate the efficacy of the proteolytic enzymes produced by the strains of the present invention, provided in various forms, in detergent formulations and the improved washing performance obtained.

EXAMPLE 4 Production of Starch Degrading Enzymes

Strain 1E.1^(CT) was tested for the production of starch degrading enzymes on a starch containing medium poised at an alkaline pH.

500 ml Erlenmeyer flasks were charged with 100 ml of alkaline medium (Medium Y, Appendix A) containing 2% soluble starch. The flasks were inoculated (5%) with cells of strain 1E.1^(CT) grown for 24 hours on Medium A (37° C.). As controls, similar flasks of alkaline medium not containing starch were also inoculated.

The flasks were placed in an orbital shaking incubator rotating at 280 revolutions per minute, at a constant temperature of 37° C. for 24 hours. The fluid containing the enzyme activity was separated from the cells by centrifugation for 10 minutes at 4000 r.p.m.

The enzyme activity of the supernatant was determined using the reducing sugar assay of Nelson and Somogyi (Methods in Microbiology, volume 5B, pp. 300-301; (eds. J. R. Norris and D. W. Ribbons), Academic Press, London, 1971).

Determination of Starch Degrading Enzyme Activity by the Reducing Sugar Assay Solutions

Reagent 1

144 g Na₂ SO₄ is dissolved by gentle warming in 500 ml demineralized water. 12 g potassium sodium tartrate tetrahydrate, 24 g Na₂ CO₃ and 16 g NaHCO₃ are added to the solutions. The total volume of the solution is brought to 800 ml by the addition of demineralized water.

Reagent 2

36 g Na₂ SO₄ is dissolved by gentle warming in 100 ml demineralized water and 4 g CuSO₄.5H₂ O is added to the warmed solution. The total volume of the solution is brought to 200 ml by the addition of demineralized water.

Directly before use, Reagents 1 and 2 are mixed in the ratio of 4:1 (Reagent 1: Reagent 2).

Reagent 3

25 g ammonium molybdate tetrahydrate is dissolved in 450 ml demineralized water and 21 ml concentrated sulphuric acid is added with thorough mixing. 3 g Na₂ HAsO₄.7H₂ O are dissolved in 25 ml demineralized water and this solution is added to the molybdate solution. The total solution is warmed for 48 hours at 37° C. and any precipitate is filtered off.

Standard

100 mg glucose is dissolved in demineralized water and the total volume is brought to 100 ml. Before use, the solution is diluted 10 fold with demineralized water.

Substrate

0.25% soluble starch (Merck, product number 1257) dissolved in 0.1M Na₂ CO₃ -NaHCO₃ buffer, pH 10.1.

Assay

0.9 ml starch substrate solution, pH 10.1 is placed in a test-tube. The test-tube is placed in a water bath at 25° C. and allowed to equilibrate. The enzyme reaction is started by adding 0.1 ml of the enzyme-containing culture supernatant. The reaction is allowed to proceed for 30 minutes. The reaction is stopped by adding 1 ml of Reagent 1/2 and heating for 10 minutes at 100° C. The mixture is cooled on ice for 5 minutes and then 0.5 ml of Reagent 3 is added and the blue color is allowed to develop during 30 minutes at room temperature. The mixture is diluted by adding 1.0 ml demineralized water and the extinction is measured at 500 nm in a spectrophotometer. The reducing sugars are measured as glucose equivalents from a standard curve.

One unit of starch degrading enzyme activity is defined as 1 μg of reducing sugars measured as glucose released per milliliter per minute at pH 10.1 and 25° C.

The number of starch degrading enzyme units formed is shown in Table 23.

                  TABLE 23                                                         ______________________________________                                         Production of Starch Degrading Enzymes by Strain 1E.1                                    OPTICAL                                                                        DENSITY      FINAL   ENZYME                                          MEDIUM    at 550 nm    pH      units per liter                                 ______________________________________                                         plus starch                                                                              2.25         9.4     1150                                            no starch 0.75         10.3    660                                             ______________________________________                                    

The results of the test clearly indicate the presence of starch degrading enzymes, produced by the alkaliphilic bacterial strain of the present invention, in the culture broth.

EXAMPLE 5 Stability of Starch Degrading Enzymes in Detergent

The ability of the starch degrading enzymes from strain 1E.1^(CT) to withstand detergents, which is essential for their application in laundry detergents or textile desizing, is demonstrated.

100 ml Erlenmeyer flasks provided with a baffle were each charged with 30 ml of 0.1M Na₂ CO₃ /NaHCO₃ buffer, pH 10.1 containing 0.12 g of sodium dodecyl sulphate (equivalent to 4 g per liter). To one-half of the flasks 0.3 g potato starch (equivalent to 1%) was added.

Each flask was dosed with enzyme-containing supernatant from strain 1E.1^(CT) by adding 0.5, 1.0 or 2.0 ml (see Table 23). As a control, the supernatant fluid was replaced with 1.0 ml water. Immediately after adding the enzyme, a 0.1 ml sample was removed (time=zero hours) for the measurement of enzyme activity.

The flasks were incubated with shaking at 25° C. for 2.5 hours at which time a second 0.1 ml sample was removed for the measurement of enzyme activity.

As a comparison the experiment was repeated using a conventional α-amylase derived from Bacillus subtilis.

Enzyme activity was determined using the reducing sugars method previously described.

The results are recorded in Table 24.

                  TABLE 24                                                         ______________________________________                                         Stability of Starch Degrading Enzymes from Strain 1E.1.sup.CT in               Detergents                                                                     ENZYME-CONTAINING                                                              SUPERNATENT                      ENZYME UNITS                                  ADDED                            RECOVERED                                     (ml)          CONDITIONS  pH     0 h.  2.5 h.                                  ______________________________________                                         0*            SDS         10.4   0     0                                       0.5                       10.3   26    20                                      1.0                       10.3   44    48                                      2.0                       10.3   109   113                                     0*            SDS +       10.3   0     0                                       0.5           STARCH      10.2   12    17                                      1.0                       10.1   36    48                                      2.0                       10.2   79    120                                     Standard §                                                                              SDS         10.4   0     0                                       Standard §                                                                              SDS + STARCH                                                                               10.2   0     0                                       ______________________________________                                          *replaced with 1 ml water                                                      § 2.8 RAU Bacillus subtilis α-amylase  One RAU (Reference           Amylase Unit) is defined as the quantity of enzyme that will convert 1 mg      of starch per minute at pH 6.6 and 30° C. into a product which upo      reaction with iodine has an equal absorbance at 620 nm. as a solution          containing 25 g CoCl.sub.2.6H.sub.2 O, 3.84 g K.sub.2 Cr.sub.2 O.sub.7 an      1 ml 1 M HCl in 100 ml distilled water.                                  

The results of this test clearly demonstrate the stability of the starch degrading enzymes, produced by the alkaliphilic bacterial strain of the present invention, in the presence of detergent.

EXAMPLE 6 Production of Lipolytic Enzymes

Eleven of the new strains which clearly exhibited lipase activity (Appendix D) were tested further for the production of lipolytic enzymes. The eleven strains are examples from Cluster 2 and Cluster 3 (FIGS. 1A and 1B).

The experiments were carried out in 100 ml conical flasks containing 30 ml sterile alkaline nutrient medium, pH 9.6, inoculated with the appropriate bacterial strain. Three different media were used, designated medium Z to BB (Appendix A). The flasks were placed in an orbital shaking incubator (300 rpm) at 30° C. for 48 hours.

The cells were separated from the culture broth by centrifugation and the supernatant dialyzed against 50 volumes 0.1 mM Tris-HCl buffer pH 9, with 3 changes of buffer over 24 hours. The dialysate was freeze dried to give a lipase preparation (Table 25).

The lipase preparations obtained according to this example were used for the washing test described in Example 7, below.

                  TABLE 25                                                         ______________________________________                                         Production of Lipase                                                                    PRODUCTION     LIPASE   LIPASE                                        STRAIN   MEDIUM         TLU/ml*  TLU/g                                         ______________________________________                                         39E.3    BB             1.3      134                                           40E.3    Z              1.2      118                                           41E.3    Z              1.1      82                                            42E.3    Z              1.2      76                                            44E.3    Z              1.2      99                                            45E.3.sup.CT                                                                            AA             1.4      98                                            48E.3    BB             2.0      152                                           49N.3    BB             1.5      123                                           50N.3    BB             2.0      100                                           51N.3    BB             1.0      98                                            52N.3    BB             1.2      128                                           ______________________________________                                          *TLU = True Lipase Unit as defined in U.S. Pat. No. 4,933287.            

The results of this test clearly demonstrate the presence of lipolytic enzymes, produced by alkaliphilic bacteria of the present invention, in the culture broth and in a freeze-dried preparation of the dialyzed culture broth.

EXAMPLE 7 Lipase Washing Test

The lipase preparations from Example 6 were tested for performance under washing conditions in TIDE™ powder (1.5 g/l), a detergent product from Procter & Gamble.

The washing test (SLM-test) was carried out as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,933,287, which is hereby incorporated by reference. As control, a lipase derived from Pseudomonas alcaligenes strain M1 (CB3 473.85) as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,933,287 was used. The results are shown in Table 26.

                  TABLE 26                                                         ______________________________________                                         Lipase Washing Test                                                            Detergent: TIDE.sup.R (powder), 1.5 g/l                                        Lipase: 2 TLU/ml                                                               Ca.sup.2+ : 10.sup.-5 M (sodium tripolyphosphate added)                        pH: 9.5                                                                                  RECOVERY (%)                                                         STRAIN      TRIGLYCERIDES                                                                               TOTAL LIPID                                           ______________________________________                                         39E.3       55.3         73.4                                                  40E.3       82.0         89.9                                                  41E.3       44.7         78.7                                                  42E.3       55.5         74.8                                                  44E.3       6.6          76.9                                                  45E.3.sup.CT                                                                               81.6         92.9                                                  48E.3       76.5         82.9                                                  49E.3       72.4         82.0                                                  50N.3       50.5         76.6                                                  51N.3       80.4         87.6                                                  52N.2       77.0         84.7                                                  M1          88.5         91.5                                                  control*    98.7         98.7                                                  ______________________________________                                          *Standard tap water as defined in U.S. Pat. No. 4,933,287                

The decrease in the percent recovery of triglycerides and total lipids, as compared to the control, clearly indicate the ability of the lipolytic enzymes, produced by the alkaliphilic bacteria of the present invention, to break down and remove triglycerides and their degradation products embedded on a fabric sample, as well as their improved performance as compared to a known lipase.

    ______________________________________                                         Appendix A                                                                     Media Used in the Present Invention                                            ______________________________________                                         MEDIUM A                                                                       Glucose                10.0     gl.sup.-1                                      Peptone (Difco: Detroit, MI, USA)                                                                     5.0      gl.sup.-1                                      Yeast Extract (Difco)  5.0      gl.sup.-1                                      K.sub.2 HPO.sub.4      1.0      gl.sup.-1                                      MgSO.sub.4.7H.sub.2 O  0.2      gl.sup.-1                                      NaCl                   40.0     gl.sup.-1                                      Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3      10.0     gl.sup.-1                                      *Agar                  20.0     gl.sup.-1                                      MEDIUM B                                                                       Glucose                10.0     gl.sup.-1                                      Peptone (Difco)        5.0      gl.sup.-1                                      Yeast Extract (Difco)  5.0      gl.sup.-1                                      K.sub.2 HPO.sub.4      1.0      gl.sup.-1                                      MgSO.sub.4.7H.sub.2 O  0.2      gl.sup.-1                                      NaCl                   40.0     gl.sup.-1                                      Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3      10.0     gl.sup.-1                                      Novobiocin             50.0     mgl.sup.-1                                     Agar                   20.0     gl.sup.-1                                      MEDIUM C                                                                       Glucose                10.0     gl.sup.-1                                      Peptone (Difco)        5.0      gl.sup.-1                                      Yeast Extract (Difco)  5.0      gl.sup.-1                                      K.sub.2 HPO.sub.4      1.0      gl.sup.-1                                      MgSO.sub.4.7H.sub.2 O  0.2      gl.sup.-1                                      NaCl                   40.0     gl.sup.-1                                      Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3      10.0     gl.sup.-1                                      Lactalbumin            10.0     gl.sup.-1                                      Agar                   20.0     gl.sup.-1                                      MEDIUM D                                                                       Glucose                10.0     gl.sup.-1                                      Peptone (Difco)        5.0      gl.sup.-1                                      Yeast Extract (Difco)  5.0      gl.sup.-1                                      K.sub.2 HPO.sub.4      1.0      gl.sup.-1                                      MgSO.sub.4.7H.sub.2 O  0.2      gl.sup.-1                                      NaCl                   40.0     gl.sup.-1                                      Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3      10.0     gl.sup.-1                                      Casein                 20.0     gl.sup.-1                                      Agar                   20.0     gl.sup.-1                                      MEDIUM E                                                                       Soluble Starch         10.0     gl.sup.-1                                      Peptone (Difco)        5.0      gl.sup.-1                                      Yeast Extract (Difco)  5.0      gl.sup.-1                                      K.sub.2 HPO.sub.4      1.0      gl.sup.-1                                      MgSO.sub.4.7H.sub.2 O  0.2      gl.sup.-1                                      NaCl                   40.0     gl.sup.-1                                      Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3      10.0     gl.sup.-1                                      Lactalbumin            10.0     gl.sup.-1                                      Agar                   20.0     gl.sup.-1                                      MEDIUM F                                                                       Soluble Starch         10.0     gl.sup.-1                                      Peptone (Difco)        5.0      gl.sup.-1                                      Yeast Extract (Difco)  5.0      gl.sup.-1                                      K.sub.2 HPO.sub.4      1.0      gl.sup.-1                                      MgSO.sub.4.7H.sub.2 O  0.2      gl.sup.-1                                      NaCl                   40.0     gl.sup.-1                                      Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3      10.0     gl.sup.-1                                      Casein                 20.0     gl.sup.-1                                      Agar                   20.0     gl.sup.-1                                      MEDIUM G                                                                       Oxbile (Oxoid: Basingstoke, U.K.)                                                                     10.0     gl.sup.-1                                      (NH.sub.4).sub.2 SO.sub.4                                                                             5.0      gl.sup.-1                                      MgSO.sub.4.7H.sub.2 O  0.2      gl.sup.-1                                      Yeast Extract (Difco)  0.5      gl.sup.-1                                      Lactalbumin            10.0     gl.sup.-1                                      Agar                   20.0     gl.sup.-1                                      Adjusted to pH 8.5 with 50% Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3 solution                         MEDIUM H                                                                       Oxbile (Oxoid)         10.0     gl.sup.-1                                      (NH.sub.4).sub.2 SO.sub.4                                                                             5.0      gl.sup.-1                                      MgSO.sub.4.7H.sub.2 O  0.2      gl.sup.-1                                      Yeast Extract (Difco)  0.5      gl.sup.-1                                      Casein                 20.0     gl.sup.-1                                      Agar                   20.0     gl.sup.-1                                      Adjusted to pH 8.5 with 50% Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3 solution                         MEDIUM I                                                                       Sabouroud Dextrose Agar (Oxoid)                                                                       65.0     gl.sup.-1                                      NaCl                   40.0     gl.sup.-1                                      Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3      20.0     gl.sup.-1                                      Cycloheximide          50.0     mgl.sup.-1                                     Penicillin G           25000    IUl.sup.-1                                     Streptomycin           25       mgl.sup.-1                                     MEDIUM J                                                                       Bacto Potato Dextrose Agar (Difco)                                                                    39.0     gl.sup.-1                                      NaCl                   40.0     gl.sup.-1                                      Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3      20.0     gl.sup.-1                                      Novobiocin             50.0     mgl.sup.-1                                     MEDIUM K                                                                       Bacto Potato Dextrose Agar (Difco)                                                                    39.0     gl.sup.-1                                      NaCl                   40.0     gl.sup.-1                                      Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3      20.0     gl.sup.-1                                      Cycloheximide          50.0     mgl.sup.-1                                     Penicillin G           25000    IUl.sup.-1                                     Streptomycin           25.0     mgl.sup.-1                                     MEDIUM L                                                                       Glucose                0.2      gl.sup.-1                                      Peptone (Difco)        0.1      gl.sup.-1                                      Yeast Extract (Difco)  0.1      gl.sup.-1                                      K.sub.2 HPO.sub.4      1.0      gl.sup.-1                                      MgSO.sub.4.7H.sub.2 O  0.2      gl.sup.-1                                      NaCl                   40.0     gl.sup.-1                                      Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3      10.0     gl.sup.-1                                      Casein                 20.0     gl.sup.-1                                      Agar                   20.0     gl.sup.-1                                      MEDIUM M (pH 9.6)                                                              Oxbile (Oxoid)         2.0      gl.sup.-1                                      (NH.sub.4).sub.2 SO.sub.4                                                                             1.0      gl.sup.-1                                      MgSO.sub.4.7H.sub.2 O  0.04     gl.sup.-1                                      Yeast Extract (Difco)  0.1      gl.sup.-1                                      Olive Oil              10.0     ml l.sup.-1                                    Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3      6.1      gl.sup.-1                                      Agar                   20.0     gl.sup.-1                                      MEDIUM N (pH 9.6)                                                              Oxbile (Oxoid)         2.0      gl.sup.-1                                      (NH.sub.4).sub.2 SO.sub.4                                                                             1.0      gl.sup.-1                                      MgSO.sub.4.7H.sub.2 O  0.04     gl.sup.-1                                      Yeast Extract (Difco)  0.1      gl.sup.-1                                      Olive Oil              10.0     ml l.sup.-1                                    Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3      6.1      gl.sup.-1                                      Tergitol 7 (Fluka: Buchs, CH)                                                                         500      ppm                                            Agar                   20.0     gl.sup.-1                                      MEDIUM O (pH 9.6)                                                              Oxbile (Oxoid)         2.0      gl.sup.-1                                      (NH.sub.4).sub.2 SO.sub.4                                                                             1.0      gl.sup.-1                                      MgSO.sub.4.7H.sub.2 O  0.04     gl.sup.-1                                      Yeast Extract (Difco)  0.1      gl.sup.-1                                      Olive Oil              10.0     ml l.sup.-1                                    Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3      6.1      gl.sup.-1                                      NaCl                   40.0     gl.sup.-1                                      Agar                   20.0     gl.sup.-1                                      MEDIUM P (pH 9.6)                                                              Oxbile (Oxoid)         10.0     gl.sup.-1                                      (NH.sub.4).sub.2 SO.sub.4                                                                             0.2      gl.sup.-1                                      MgSO.sub.4.7H.sub.2 O  0.2      gl.sup.-1                                      Yeast Extract (Difco)  0.5      gl.sup.-1                                      Olive Oil              10.0     ml l.sup.-1                                    NaCl                   40.0     gl.sup.-1                                      Agar                   20.0     gl.sup.-1                                      Adjusted to pH 9.6 with 50% Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3 solution                         MEDIUM O (pH 9.6)                                                              Oxbile (Oxoid)         10.0     gl.sup.-1                                      (NH.sub.4).sub.2 SO.sub.4                                                                             5.0      gl.sup.-1                                      MgSO.sub.4.7H.sub.2 O  0.2      gl.sup.-1                                      Yeast Extract (Difco)  0.5      gl.sup.-1                                      Olive Oil              10.0     ml l.sup.-1                                    Agar                   20.0     gl.sup.-1                                      Adjusted to pH 9.6 with 50% Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3 soution                          MEDIUM R (pH 9.5)                                                              Fresh Yeast            82.5     gl.sup.-1                                      Glucose                3.3      gl.sup.-1                                      K.sub.2 HPO.sub.4      1.6      gl.sup.-1                                      K.sub.2 CO.sub.3       0.6      gl.sup.-1                                      KHCO.sub.3             1.76     gl.sup.-1                                      CaCl.sub.2             0.05     gl.sup.-1                                      MgSO.sub.4.7H.sub.2 O  0.05     gl.sup.-1                                      FeSO.sub.4             0.005    gl.sup.-1                                      MnSO.sub.4             0.0066   gl.sup.-1                                      MEDIUM S                                                                       Fresh Yeast            8.25     gl.sup.-1                                      Glucose                1.32     gl.sup.-1                                      K.sub.2 HPO.sub.4      1.6      gl.sup.-1                                      CaCl.sub.2             0.05     gl.sup.-1                                      MgSO.sub.4.7H.sub.2 O  0.05     gl.sup.-1                                      FeSO.sub.4             0.005    gl.sup.-1                                      MnSO.sub.4             0.0066   gl.sup.-1                                      NaCl                   40.0     gl.sup.-1                                      Adjusted to pH 10.5 with 40% Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3 solution                        MEDIUM T (pH 10.1)                                                             Glucose                10.0     gl.sup.-1                                      Peptone (Difco)        5.0      gl.sup.-1                                      Yeast Extract (Difco)  5.0      gl.sup.-1                                      K.sub.2 HPO.sub.4      1.0      gl.sup.-1                                      MgSO.sub.4.7H.sub.2 O  0.2      gl.sup.-1                                      NaCl                   40.0     gl.sup.-1                                      Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3      10.0     gl.sup.-1                                      MEDIUM U                                                                       Oxbile                 10.0     gl.sup.-1                                      (NH.sub.4).sub.2 SO.sub.4                                                                             5.0      gl.sup.-1                                      MgSO.sub.4.7H.sub.2 O  0.2      gl.sup.-1                                      Yeast extract (Difco)  0.5      gl.sup.-1                                      Casein                 10.0     gl.sup.-1                                      Adjusted to pH 9.8 with 40% Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3 solution                         MEDIUM V                                                                       Tryptone Soya Broth (Oxoid)                                                                           30.0     gl.sup.-1                                      Adjusted to pH 9.9 with 40% Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3 solution                         MEDIUM W (pH 10.1)                                                             Soluble starch         10.0     gl.sup.-1                                      Peptone (Difco)        5.0      gl.sup.-1                                      Yeast extract (Difco)  5.0      gl.sup.-1                                      KH.sub.2 PO.sub.4      1.0      gl.sup.-1                                      MgSO.sub.4.7H.sub.2 O  0.2      gl.sup.-1                                      NaCl                   40.0     gl.sup.-1                                      Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3      10.0     gl.sup.-1                                      MEDIUM X                                                                       Skim milk (Difco)      100.0    gl.sup.-1                                      Adjusted to pH 10.8 with 25% Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3 solution                        MEDIUM Y                                                                       Yeast Extract (Difco)  1.0      g                                              KNO.sub.3              10.0     g                                              KH.sub.2 PO.sub.4      1.0      g                                              MgSO.sub.4.7H.sub.2 O  0.2      g                                              Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3      10.0     g                                              NaCl                   40.0     g                                              Soluble starch (Merck) 20.0     g                                              Demineralised water    1        liter                                          MEDIUM Z                                                                       Brain Heart Infusion (Difco)                                                                          20.0     g                                              Na.sub.2 EDTA (Komplexion III, Siegfried AG,                                                          1.0      g                                              Switzerland)                                                                   FeSO.sub.4.7H.sub.2 O  0.006    g                                              MnSO.sub.4.H.sub.2 O   0.003    g                                              CaCl.sub.2.2H.sub.2 O  1.0      g                                              MgSO.sub.4.7H.sub.2 O  0.25     g                                              Tween 80               5.0      g                                              Soya oil               5.0      g                                              Distilled water to 1 liter, pH of medium adjusted                              to pH 9.6 with 25% Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3 solution.                                 MEDIUM AA                                                                      Yeast Extract (Difco)  20.0     g                                              KH.sub.2 PO.sub.4      5.0      g                                              FeSO.sub.4.7H.sub.2 O  0.006    g                                              MnSO.sub.4.H.sub.2 O   0.003    g                                              CaCl.sub.2.2H.sub.2 O  1.0      g                                              MgSO.sub.4.7H.sub.2 O  0.25     g                                              Tween 80               5.0      g                                              Soya oil               5.0      g                                              Distilled water to 1 liter, pH of medium adjusted                              to pH 9.6 with 25% Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3 solution.                                 MEDIUM BB                                                                      Brain Heart Infusion (Difco)                                                                          20.0     g                                              FeSO.sub.4.7H.sub.2 O  0.006    g                                              MnSO.sub.4.H.sub.2 O   0.003    g                                              CaCl.sub.2.2H.sub.2 O  1.0      g                                              MgSO.sub.4.7H.sub.2 O  0.25     g                                              Tween 80               5.0      g                                              Soya oil               5.0      g                                              Distilled water to 1 liter, pH of medium adjusted                              to pH 9.6 with 25% Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3 solution.                                 ______________________________________                                          *(when required for a solid medium)                                      

APPENDIX B Methods for Unit Tests

1. Character numbers 1 to 5

Colony color, form, elevation, margin, size

A suspension of bacteria was spread over an alkaline nutrient agar (Medium A) and cultivated at 37° C. Colonies were examined after 48 hours.

2. Character number 6 and 7

Cell morphology, Gram's strain reaction

Bacteria cells grown in alkaline nutrient broth (Medium A, without agar) for 24 hours were spun down in a centrifuge and resuspended in a small amount of alkaline nutrient broth and allowed to air-dry on a microscope slide. Or, bacteria were cultivated for 24-48 hours on an alkaline nutrient agar (Medium A) so as to form colonies. Colonies of bacteria were suspended in physiological saline and a few drops allowed to air-dry on a microscope slide. The Gram's staining test was performed using the Dussault modification (Journal of Bacteriology, 70, 484-485, 1955) with safranin as counterstain.

3. Character number 8

Oxidase reaction

Filter paper moistened with a 1% aqueous solution of N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine or oxidase identification discs (bioMerieux: Charbonieres-les-Bains, France) were smeared with a young bacterial culture from alkaline nutrient agar. A purple color within 1 minute was recorded as a positive reaction. E. coli, used as a control, did not give a positive reaction within one minute.

4. Character number 9

Skim milk test

A minimal medium composed (g/l distilled water) of yeast extract, 1.0; KNO₃, 10.0; K₂ HPO₄, 1.0;MgSO₄.7H₂ O, 0.2; NaCl, 40.0; Na₂ CO₃, 10.0; agar, 20.0 was supplemented with 5.0 g/l skim milk powder, sterilised by autoclaving and poured into Petri dishes. Bacteria were inoculated and incubated at 37° C. Areas of clearing around bacterial colonies in an otherwise opaque agar were recorded as a positive reaction. Non-alkaliphilic reference strains were tested in an identical fashion using media of the same composition but without Na₂ CO₃ so as to give a pH of 6.8-7.0.

4. Character number 10

Gelatin hydrolysis

Charcoal-gelatin discs (bioMerieux) or "chargeis" (Oxoid) were incubated at 37° C. in an alkaline nutrient broth (Medium A) together with bacteria. A black sediment indicated a positive reaction.

6. Character number 11

NaCl tolerance

Two methods were applied.

(a) Bacterial strains were cultivated at 37° C. on an alkaline nutrient agar (Medium A) containing 0%, 4%, 8%, 12% or 15% (w/v) NaCl. The agar plates were examined for bacterial growth after 48 hours.

(b) Bacterial strains were cultivated at 37° C. in an alkaline nutrient broth (Medium A) containing 0%, 4%, 8%, 12%, 15% or 25% NaCl. Bacterial growth was monitored by optical density measurements using a Klett meter (green filter) at 0, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 144 hours.

7. Character number 12

Minimum pH for growth

Nutrient agar, pH 6.8-7.0 (Medium A without sodium carbonate) was poured into square Petri dishes. A strip of solidified agar was removed from one end and replaced with molten 4% (w/v) agar containing 3.6% (w/v) Na₂ CO₃ and 0.8% (w/v) NaOH. A pH gradient from pH 10.5 to pH 7 across the plate was allowed to develop overnight. Bacteria were inoculated by streaking along the pH gradient and cultivated at 37° C. for 48 hours. The pH at the point where bacterial growth ceased was measured with a flat head electrode and with "Alkalite" pH strips (Merck: Darmstadt, W. Germany).

8. Character numbers 13-21

Carbohydrate utilisation

A minimal medium composed (g/l distilled water) of yeast extract, 1.0; KNO₃, 10.0; K₂ HPO₄, 1.0; MgSO₄,7H₂ O, 0.2; NaCl, 40.0; NarCO₃, 10.0; agar, 20.0 was supplemented with 2.0 g/l of the carbohydrate under test and poured into square Petri dishes. Bacteria were inoculated, using a 25 point multi-point inoculator, from 1.0 ml of a bacterial suspension cultivated for 48 hours in an alkaline nutrient broth (Medium A). The agar-plates were incubated at 37° C. for 48 hours. The results were recording by comparing bacterial growth on minimal nutrient medium containing a carbohydrate supplement with growth on a minimal medium without the carbohydrate under test. Non-alkaliphilic reference strains were tested in an identical fashion using media of the same composition but without NA₂ CO₃ so as to give a pH of 6.8-7.0.

9. Character numbers 22-53

Growth on carbon substrates

Use was made of the commercially available test strip ATB 32 GN (API-bioMerieux: La Balme les Grottes, France). The strips were used according to the manufacturer's instructions but with an addition of 1.0 ml of a solution containing 4% NaCl and 1% Na₂ CO₃ to the vials of basal medium provided. The strips were incubated at 37° C. for 48 hours. Non-alkaliphilic reference strains were incubated in the standard basal medium.

10. Character numbers 54-72

Enzymatic activities

Use was made of the commercially available test strip APIZYM (API-bioMerieux) which was used according to the manufacturer's instructions, except that the alkaliphilic bacterial cells were suspended in alkaline nutrient broth (Medium A). The strips were incubated at 37° C. for 4 hours.

11. Character numbers 73-82

Amino acids as carbon and nitrogen source

The same technique was employed as for tests 14-21 except that KNO₃ was omitted from the minimal nutrient medium.

12. Character numbers 83-104

Antibiotic sensitivity

A light suspension of bacteria in alkaline nutrient broth was spread on the surface of alkaline nutrient agar (Medium A) and allowed to dry. Commercially available antibiotic susceptibility test discs (Oxoid or Mast Laboratories: Merseyside, U.K.) were applied to the agar surface. The bacteria were cultivated at 37° C. for 48 hours. Clear zones around the antibiotic disks indicated sensitivity.

    ______________________________________                                         Appendix C                                                                     Unit Tests for Analysis by Numerical Taxonomy                                  CHARACTER                                                                               TEST           COMPUTER                                               NUMBER   DESCRIPTION    CODE                                                   ______________________________________                                         1        Colony color   white = 1                                                                      cream = 2                                                                      beige = 3                                                                      yellow = 4                                                                     orange = 5                                                                     pink = 6                                                                       brown = 7                                                                      red = 8                                                2        Colony form    circular = 1                                                                   irregular = 2                                                                  punctiform = 3                                                                 filamentous = 4                                        3        Colony elevation                                                                              convex = 1                                                                     raised = 2                                                                     umbonate = 3                                                                   flat = 4                                               4        Colony margin  entire = 1                                                                     undulate = 2                                                                   lobate = 3                                                                     fimbriate = 4                                          5        Colony size    diameter in millimeters                                6        Cell morphology                                                                               rod = 1                                                                        coccus = 2                                             7        Gram's stain   negative = 1                                                                   positive = 2                                           8        Oxidase test   negative 1                                                                     positive = 2                                           9        Skim milk test negative = 1                                                                   positive = 2                                           10       Gelatin hydrolysis                                                                            negative = 1                                                                   positive = 2                                           11       NaCl tolerance growth at 0%-4% = 1                                                            growth at 0%-8% = 2                                                            growth at 0%-12% = 3                                                           growth at 0%-15% = 4                                                           growth only at 0% = 5                                                          growth only at 4%-15% = 6                              12       Minimum pH for pH 7.5 = 7.5                                                    growth on nutrient agar                                                                       pH 8.0 = 8.0                                                                   pH 8.5 = 8.5                                                                   pH 9.0 = 9.0                                                                   pH 9.5 = 9.5                                                                   pH 10.0 = 10.0                                                                 pH 10.5 = 10.5                                         13-21    Carbohydrate utilisation                                              13       Formate                                                               14       Fumarate                                                              15       Succinate                                                             16       Galactose      enhanced growth = 2                                    17       Pyruvate       equal growth = 1                                       18       Fructose       growth inhibited = 0                                   19       Lactose                                                               20       Xylose                                                                21       Starch                                                                22-53    Growth on carbon substrates                                           22       Rhamnose                                                              23       N-acetylglucosamine                                                   24       D-ribose                                                              25       Inositol                                                              26       D-saccharose                                                          27       Maltose                                                               28       Itaconate                                                             29       Suberate                                                              30       Malonate                                                              31       Acetate                                                               32       DL-lactate     positive = 2                                           33       L-alanine      negative = 1                                           34       Mannitol                                                              35       D-glucose                                                             36       Salicin                                                               37       D-melibiose                                                           38       L-fucose                                                              39       D-sorbitol                                                            40       L-arabinose                                                           41       Propionate                                                            42       Caprate                                                               43       Valerate                                                              44       Citrate                                                               45       Histidine                                                             46       5-ketogluconate                                                       47       Glycogen                                                              48       3-hydroxybenzoate                                                     49       L-serine                                                              50       2-ketogluconate                                                       51       3-hydroxybutyrate                                                     52       4-hydroxybenzoate                                                     53       L-proline                                                             54-72    Enzymatic activities                                                  54       Alkaline phosphatase                                                  55       Esterase (C4)                                                         56       Esterase lipase (C8)                                                  57       Lipase (C14)                                                          58       Leucine arylamidase                                                   59       Valine arylamidase                                                    60       Cystine arylamidase                                                                           positive = 2                                           61       Trypsin        negative = 1                                           62       Chymotrypsin                                                          63       Acid phosphatase                                                      64       Naphthol-AS-BI-phosphohydrolase                                       65       α-galactosidase                                                 66       β-galactosidase                                                  67       β-glucuronidase                                                  68       α-glucosidase                                                   69       β-glucosidase                                                    70       N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase                                       71       α-mannosidase                                                   72       α-fucosidase                                                    73-82    Aminoacids as carbon and nitrogen source                              73       Serine                                                                74       Proline                                                               75       Asparagine                                                            76       Arginine       enhanced growth = 2                                    77       Alanine        equal growth = 1                                       78       Lysine         no growth = 0                                          79       Methionine                                                            80       Phenylalanine                                                         81       Glycine                                                               82       Valine                                                                 83-104  Antibiotic sensitivity                                                83        Gentamycin  10 μg                                                 84        Nitrofurantoin                                                                             50 μg                                                 85        Ampicillin  25 μg                                                 86        Nalidixic Acid                                                                             30 μg                                                 87        Sulphamethoxazole                                                                          50 μg                                                 88        Trimethoprim                                                                               2.5 μg                                                89        Penicillin G                                                                               1 IU    antibiotic sensitive                             90        Chloramphenicol                                                                            25 μg                                                                               inhibition of growth = 2                         91        Erythromycin                                                                               5 μg                                                  92        Fusidic Acid                                                                               10 μg                                                                               antibiotic insensitive,                          93        Methicillin 10 μg                                                                               no growth inhibition = 1                         94        Novobiocin  5 μg                                                  95        Streptomycin                                                                               10 μg                                                 96        Tetracycline                                                                               25 μg                                                 97        Sulphafurazole                                                                             100 μg                                                98        Oleandomycin                                                                               5 μg                                                  99        Polymixin   300 IU                                                   100       Rifampicin  2 μg                                                  101       Neomycin    30 μg                                                 102       Vancomycin  30 μg                                                 103       Kanamycin   30 μg                                                 104       Bacitracin  10 IU                                                    ______________________________________                                    

    ______________________________________                                         Appendix D                                                                     Screening for Proteolytic, Amylolytic and Lipolytic Activity                   STRAIN  LACTALBUMIN CASEIN    BLOOD  GELATIN                                   ______________________________________                                         Proteolytic Activity                                                           Cluster 1                                                                      1E.1.sup.CT                                                                            +           +         +      +                                         2E.1    -           -         -      -                                         wB2     -           -         -      +                                         wB5     -           -         -      -                                         wBs4    -           +         +      +                                         10B.1   +           +         +      +                                         20N.1   +           +         -      +                                         27M.1   -           +         -      -                                         wNk2    -           +         -      +                                         Cluster 2                                                                      39E.3   n.t.        n.t.      n.t.   +                                         41E.3   n.t.        n.t.      n.t.   +                                         45E.3.sup.CT                                                                           n.t.        n.t.      n.t.   +                                         47E.3   n.t.        n.t.      n.t.   +                                         51N.3   n.t.        n.t.      n.t.   +                                         52N.3   n.t.        n.t.      n.t.   +                                         42E.3   n.t.        n.t.      n.t.   +                                         50N.3   n.t.        n.t.      n.t.   +                                         Cluster 3                                                                      6B.1    +           +         -      +                                         7B.1    +           +         -      -                                         8B.1    -           +         -      +                                         38E.2   n.t.        n.t.      n.t.   -                                         56E.4   +           n.t.      n.t.   -                                         25B.1   n.t.        +         n.t.   +                                         26N.1   -           +         -      +                                         11C.1   +           +         -      +                                         wB.1    -           -         -      +                                         12C.1   -           +         -      -                                         28N.1.sup.CT                                                                           -           -         -      -                                         61N.4   +           n.t.      n.t.   -                                         36E.2   n.t.        n.t.      n.t.   -                                         40E.3   n.t.        n.t.      n.t.   +                                         65B.4   +           n.t.      n.t.   -                                         94LM.4  n.t.        n.t.      n.t.   +                                         19N.1   -           +         -      +                                         24B.1   +           +         -      +                                         21M.1   +           +         +      +                                         29C.1   -           -         -      -                                         35E.2   n.t.        n.t.      n.t.   -                                         37E.2   n.t.        n.t.      n.t.   -                                         48E.3   n.t.        n.t.      n.t.   +                                         78LN.4  n.t.        +         n.t.   +                                         73aC.4  n.t.        +         n.t.   +                                         75C.4   n.t.        +         n.t.   +                                         73bC.4  n.t.        +         n.t.   +                                         74C.4   n.t         +         n.t.   -                                         77LN.4  n.t.        +         n.t.   -                                         wN1     -           -         -      -                                         49N.3   n.t.        n.t.      n.t.   +                                         44E.3   n.t.        n.t.      n.t.   +                                         58E.4   n.t.        n.t.      n.t.                                             57E.4   +           n.t.      n.t.   +                                         Cluster 4                                                                      wE5     -           -         -      +                                         wB4.sup.CT                                                                             -           -         -      -                                         wNk1    -           -         -      +                                         wEl1    -           -         -      -                                         wEl2    -           -         -      +                                         Cluster 5                                                                      9B.1    -           +         -      +                                         16N.1   +           n.t.      n.t.   +                                         17N.1.sup.CT                                                                           +           +         -      +                                         22M.1   +           +         -      +                                         Cluster 6                                                                      18N.1   +           +         -      +                                         59E.4   +           n.t.      n.t.   +                                         64B.4.sup.CT                                                                           +           n.t.      n.t.   +                                         63N.4   +           n.t.      n.t.   +                                         53E.4   +           n.t.      n.t.   +                                         Non-Clustering Strains                                                         wN.2    -           -         -      +                                         4E.1    -           -         -      -                                         5E.1    -           -         -      +                                         92LM.4  n.t.        n.t.      n.t.   +                                         wBn5    -           -         -      +                                         ______________________________________                                          n.t. = not tested                                                        

                      LIPASE      ESTERASE                                                                               LIPASE                                          STARCH     ACTIVITY    LIPASE  ACTIV-                                   STRAIN HYDROLYSIS ON OLIVE OIL                                                                               ACTIVITY                                                                               ITY                                      ______________________________________                                         Amylolytic and Lipolytic Activity*                                             Cluster 1                                                                      1E.1.sup.CT                                                                           +          -           +       +                                        2E.1   +          -           +       -                                        wB2    -          -           +       -                                        wB5    -          -           +       -                                        wBs4   -          -           +       -                                        10B.1  +          -           +       -                                        20N.1  -          -           +       -                                        27M.1  -          -           +       -                                        wNk2   +          -           +       -                                        Cluster 2                                                                      39E.3  +          +           +       -                                        41E.3  +          +           +       -                                        45E.3.sup.CT                                                                          +          +           +       +                                        47E.3  +          +           -       -                                        51E.3  +          +           +       +                                        52E.3  +          +           +       +                                        42E.3  +          +           +       +                                        50N.3  +          +           +       +                                        Cluster 3                                                                      6B.1   -          -           +       -                                        7B.1   +          -           +       +                                        8B.1   +          +           +       +                                        38E.2  -          -           +       -                                        56E.4  -          +           +       +                                        25B.1  -          -           +       +                                        26N.1  -          -           +       -                                        11C.1  -          -           +       -                                        wB1    -          -           +       -                                        12C.1  +          -           -       -                                        28N.1.sup.CT                                                                          +          -           +       -                                        61N.4  +          -           -       -                                        36E.2  -          -           -       -                                        40E.3  +          +           +       +                                        65B.4  +          -           +       -                                        94LM.4 +          -           +       -                                        19N.1  +          -           +       +                                        24B.1  -          -           +       -                                        21M.1  +          -           -       -                                        29C.1  +          -           +       +                                        35E.2  -          -           +       -                                        37E.2  -          -           +       -                                        48E.3  -          +           +       -                                        78LN.4 -          -           +       -                                        73aC.4 -          -           +       -                                        75C.4  +          -           -       -                                        73bC.4 +          -           +       -                                        74C.4  +          -           +       -                                        77LN.4 -          -           +       +                                        wN1    +          -           +       -                                        49N.3  +          +           +       -                                        44E.3  +          +           +       +                                        58E.4  +          +           +       -                                        57E.4  +          -           +       -                                        Cluster 4                                                                      wE5    +          -           -       -                                        wB4.sup.CT                                                                            -          -           +       -                                        wNk1   +          -           +       -                                        wEl1   -          -           +       -                                        wEl2   -          -           +       -                                        Cluster 5                                                                      9B.1   +          -           +       -                                        16N.1  +          -           +       -                                        17N.1.sup.CT                                                                          +          -           +       -                                        22M.1  +          -           +       -                                        Cluster 6                                                                      18N.1  +          -           +       -                                        59E.4  +          -           +       -                                        64B.4.sup.CT                                                                          +          -           +       -                                        63N.4  +          -           -       -                                        53E.4  +          -           +       -                                        Non-Clustering Strains                                                         wN2    +          -           +       +                                        4E.1   -          -           +       -                                        5E.1   +          -           +       -                                        92LM.4 +          +           +       -                                        wBn5   -          -           +       -                                        ______________________________________                                          *Starch Hydrolysis determined according to Character 21 (Appendix B)           Lipase Activity (Olive Oil) determined on media M  P (Appendix A)              Esterase Lipase Activity determined according to Character 56 (Appendix B      Lipase Activity determined according to Character 57 (Appendix B)        

    ______________________________________                                         Appendix E                                                                     Percentage Positive States for Characters in Clusters                                       CLUSTER                                                           CHARACTER      1      2      3    4    5    6                                  ______________________________________                                          6!  Cell morphology                                                                              9      0    12   0    0    0                                 7!  Gram's stain  0      0    0    0    0    0                                 8!  Oxidase test  55     100  35   80   0    20                                9!  Skim milk test                                                                               36     11   6    20   0    20                                10! Gelatin       67     100  56   60   100  100                               13! Formate       0      0    15   40   0    0                                 14! Fumarate      45     78   74   80   75   60                                15! Succinate     45     89   85   40   67   50                                16! Galactose     45     11   12   40   25   0                                 17! Pyruvate      64     89   88   40   75   0                                 18! Fructose      45     11   68   60   50   100                               19! Lactose       9      0    0    0    0    0                                 20! Xylose        18     11   15   20   0    0                                 21! Starch        73     100  91   20   100  100                               22! Rhamnose      9      0    15   20   0    0                                 23! N-acetylglucosamine                                                                          9      0    26   20   0    100                               24! D-ribose      27     0    50   0    0    20                                25! Inositol      9      0    9    0    50   0                                 26! D-saccharose  27     0    74   20   25   100                               27! Maltose       9      11   74   40   50   100                               28! Itaconate     0      11   6    0    0    0                                 29! Suberate      9      67   53   40   0    0                                 30! Malonate      0      11   65   0    25   40                                31! Acetate       18     100  100  80   25   100                               32! DL-lactate    27     56   100  100  0    40                                33! L-alanine     18     89   82   100  0    100                               34! Mannitol      0      0    41   20   0    80                                35! D-glucose     9      11   71   60   0    60                                36! Salicin       0      0    3    20   0    60                                37! D-melibiose   0      0    3    0    0    0                                 38! L-fucose      0      0    0    20   0    20                                39! D-sorbitol    18     0    41   0    0    40                                40! L-arabinose   9      0    3    40   0    0                                 41! Propionate    9      100  94   80   0    80                                42! Caprate       0      78   32   40   0    80                                43! Valerate      9      100  97   80   0    40                                44! Citrate       9      56   94   20   50   100                               45! Histidine     0      0    71   0    0    80                                46! 5-ketogluconate                                                                              0      0    21   0    0    0                                 47! Glycogen      9      22   26   20   25   100                               48! 3-hydroxybenzoate                                                                            9      0    38   0    0    0                                 49! L-serine      0      0    68   60   0    0                                 50! 2-ketogluconate                                                                              0      0    56   80   25   20                                51! 3-hydroxybutyrate                                                                            18     33   94   100  0    100                               52! 4-hydroxybenzoate                                                                            0      0    71   80   0    0                                 53! L-proline     45     100  100  80   25   80                                54! Alkaline phosphatase                                                                         100    44   94   40   100  60                                55! Esterase (C4) 100    100  100  100  100  100                               56! Esterase lipase (C8)                                                                         100    89   85   100  100  100                               57! Lipase (C14)  9      67   26   0    0    0                                 58! Leucine arylamidase                                                                          91     67   94   60   50   0                                 59! Valine arylamidae                                                                            91     33   65   100  25   0                                 60! Cystine arylamidase                                                                          73     0    15   0    0    0                                 61! Trypsin       64     11   9    60   0    0                                 62! Chymotrypsin  73     0    3    20   75   0                                 63! Acid phosphatase                                                                             91     11   94   100  100  60                                64! Naphthol      91     22   3    20   100  40                                    phosphohydrolase                                                           65! α-galactosidase                                                                        0      11   3    20   100  0                                 66! β-galactosidase                                                                         9      0    0    20   100  0                                 67! β-glucuronidase                                                                         9      0    3    20   25   0                                 68! α-glucosidase                                                                          27     0    79   60   100  40                                69! β-glucosidase                                                                           9      0    9    80   75   0                                 70! N-acetyl-β-                                                                             27     0    0    0    0    0                                     glucosaminidase                                                            71! α-mannosidase                                                                          0      0    0    0    0    0                                 72! α-fucosidase                                                                           9      0    0    20   0    0                                 73! Serine        22     13   29   60   100  50                                74! Proline       56     63   65   80   100  100                               75! Asparagine    67     38   61   60   75   100                               76! Arginine      56     25   53   80   50   50                                77! Alanine       67     100  62   40   100  50                                78! Lysine        44     75   71   80   75   100                               79! Methionine    60     50   53   nc   50   50                                80! Phenylalanine 89     100  76   100  100  100                               81! Glycine       44     13   29   80   50   50                                82! Valine        44     50   41   0    50   25                                83! Gentamycin    36     67   3    20   0    0                                 84! Nitrofurantoin                                                                               18     33   21   0    0    0                                 85! Ampicillin    45     67   56   0    100  80                                86! Nalidixic Acid                                                                               36     78   76   0    0    20                                87! Sulphamethoxazole                                                                            18     33   38   0    0    0                                 88! Trimethoprim  45     22   35   0    75   60                                89! Penicillin G  27     11   29   0    75   100                               90! Chloramphenicol                                                                              100    100  100  100  100  100                               91! Erythromycin  91     100  100  100  100  100                               92! Fusidic Acid  18     0    3    20   100  100                               93! Methicillin   45     11   50   0    100  100                               94! Novobiocin    18     0    3    0    25   0                                 95! Streptomycin  100    78   97   100  75   100                               96! Tetracycline  45     22   3    20   100  100                               97! Sulphafurazole                                                                               40     13   20   nc   0    0                                 98! Oleandomycin  100    38   94   100  100  100                               99! Polymixin     89     63   78   100  0    0                                 100!                                                                               Rifampicin    100    38   78   100  100  100                               101!                                                                               Neomycin      0      13   0    0    0    0                                 102!                                                                               Vancomycin    22     13   0    20   100  75                                103!                                                                               Kanamycin     11     13   0    0    0    0                                 104!                                                                               Bacitracin    33     13   0    20   100  100                              ______________________________________                                     

We claim:
 1. A substantially pure enzyme prepared by a method comprising:culturing bacteria in a culture medium; separating the bacteria from the culture medium; and recovering enzyme activity from the culture medium, wherein said bacteria are a pure bacterial culture consisting of aerobic, Gram-negative, rod-shaped, obligate alkaliphilic bacteria having the following characteristics: a) form cream-colored, circular colonies; b) grow optimally between pH 9 and pH 10; c) give a positive response to the following tests:1) Leucine arylamidase 2) Valine arylamidase 3) Phosphohydrolase 4) Polymixin; d) give a negative response to the following tests:1) N-acetylglucosamine 2) Maltose 3) Propionate 4) Caprate 5) Valerate 6) Citrate 7) Histidine 8) Glycogen 9) 4-hydroxybenzoate 10) I-galactosidasewherein the enzyme has an activity selected from the group consisting of proteolytic, lipolytic and starch degrading activities.
 2. A substantially pure enzyme prepared by a method comprising:culturing bacteria in a culture medium; separating the bacteria from the culture medium; and recovering enzyme activity from the culture medium,wherein said bacteria are a pure bacterial culture consisting of aerobic, Gram-negative, rod-shaped, obligate alkaliphilic bacteria having the following characteristics: a) form small, cream-colored colonies; b) grow optimally between pH 7.8 and pH 11.2; c) give a positive response to the following tests:1) Starch 2) Acetate 3) Propionate 4) Valerate 5) Proline 6) Lipase 7) Oxidase (response within 10 seconds); d) give a negative response to the following tests:1) N-acetylglucosamine 2) Saccharose 3) Histidine 4) 2-ketogluconate 5) 4-hydroxybenzoate 6) I-glucosidase 7) J-glucosidase 8) Fusidic Acidwherein the enzyme has an activity selected from the group consisting of proteolytic, lipolytic and starch degrading activities.
 3. A substantially pure enzyme prepared by a method comprising:culturing bacteria in a culture medium; separating the bacteria from the culture medium; and recovering enzyme activity from the culture medium,wherein said bacteria are a pure bacterial culture consisting of aerobic, Gram-negative, rod-shaped, obligate alkaliphilic bacteria having the following characteristics: a) form cream-colored, opaque colonies; b) grow optimally between pH 8.5 and pH 10.7; c) contain ubiquinone 6 as a major respiratory quinone; d) give a positive response to the following tests:1) Acetate 2) Lactate 3) Propionate 4) Valerate 5) Citrate 6) 3-hydroxybenzoate 7) Proline 8) Leucine arylamidase; e) give a negative response to the following tests:1) Phosphohydrolase 2) I-galactosidase 3) Fusidic Acid 4) Tetracycline 5) Vancomycin 6) Bacitracinwherein the enzyme has an activity selected from the group consisting of proteolytic, lipolytic and starch degrading activities.
 4. A substantially pure enzyme prepared by a method comprising:culturing bacteria in a culture medium; separating the bacteria from the culture medium; and recovering enzyme activity from the culture medium,wherein said bacteria are a pure bacterial culture consisting of aerobic, Gram-negative, rod-shaped, obligate alkaliphilic bacteria having the following characteristics: a) form beige to brown-colored, opaque colonies; b) grow optimally between pH 7.5 and pH 10.9; c) contain ubiquinone 9 as a major respiratory quinone; d) give a positive response to the following tests:1) Lactate 2) Alanine 3) 3-hydroxybutyrate 4) Valine arylamidase 5) Polymixin; e) give a negative response to the following tests:1) Histidine 2) Ampicillin 3) Naladixic acid 4) Trimethoprim 5) Penicillin G 6) Methicillinwherein the enzyme has an activity selected from the group consisting of proteolytic, lipolytic and starch degrading activities.
 5. A substantially pure enzyme prepared by a method comprising:culturing bacteria in a culture medium; separating the bacteria from the culture medium; and recovering enzyme activity from the culture medium,wherein said bacteria are a pure bacterial culture consisting of aerobic, Gram-negative, rod-shaped, obligate alkaliphilic bacteria having the following characteristics: a) form bright yellow-colored colonies; b) grow optimally between pH 8 and pH 10.5; c) give a positive response to the following tests:1) Phosphohydrolase 2) I-galactosidase 3) J-galactosidase 4) Ampicillin 5) Fusidic Acid 6) Methicillin 7) Tetracycline 8) Vancomycin 9) Bacitracin; d) give a negative response to the following tests:1) N-acetylglucosamine 2) Lactate 3) L-alanine 4) Mannitol 5) Propionate 6) Caprate 7) Valerate 8) Histidine 9) 3-hydroxybenzoate 10) 3-hydroxybutyrate 11) 4-hydroxybenzoate 12) Polymixinwherein the enzyme has an activity selected from the group consisting of proteolytic, lipolytic and starch degrading activities.
 6. A substantially pure enzyme prepared by a method comprising:culturing bacteria in a culture medium; separating the bacteria from the culture medium; and recovering activity from the culture medium,wherein said bacteria are a pure bacterial culture consisting of aerobic, Gram-negative, rod-shaped, obligate alkaliphilic bacteria having the following characteristics: a) form cream to beige-colored, irregular, flat colonies: b) grow optimally between pH 8.2 and pH 10.9; c) give a positive response to the following tests:1) Starch 2) N-acetylglucosamine 3) Saccharose 4) Maltose 5) Acetate 6) Alanine 7) Citrate 8) Glycogen 9) 3-hydroxybutyrate 10) Penicillin G 11) Fusidic Acid 12) Methicillin 13) Tetracycline 14) Bacitracin; d) give a negative response to the following tests:1) Pymvate 2) 4-hydroxybenzoate 3) Leucine arylamidase 4) Valine arylamidase 5) I-galactosidase 6) Polymixinwherein the enzyme has an activity selected from the group consisting of proteolytic, lipolytic and starch degrading activities.
 7. A substantially pure enzyme prepared by a method comprising:culturing bacteria in a culture medium; separating the bacteria from the culture medium; and recovering activity from the culture medium,wherein said bacteria are a pure bacterial culture consisting of aerobic, Gram-negative, motile, rod-shaped, obligate alkaliphilic bacteria having the following characteristics: a) cells frequently in pairs; b) grow optimally between pH 9 and pH 10; c) on alkaline agar, form smooth, translucent, beige colored colonies, 1-2 mm in diameter which are circular, convex with an entire margin; d) in alkaline broth growth at 370C is flocculent with a ring or surface pellicle and formation of a sediment; e) grow optimally at 200C to 300C; f) do not grow at 150C or 400C; g) KOH test is positive; h) aminopeptidase test is weak positive; i) oxidase test is weak positive; j) catalase test is positive; k) obligate halophile; l) grow optimally at 4% NaCl; m) do not grow at 0% or 8% NaCl; n) hydrolysis of gelatin test is slow positive; o) hydrolysis of starch is positive; p) does not grow on simple sugars; q) does not grow on organic acids; r) grow on yeast extract and peptoneswherein the enzyme has an activity selected from the group consisting of proteolytic, lipolytic and starch degrading activities.
 8. A substantially pure enzyme prepared by a method comprising:culturing bacteria in a culture medium; separating the bacteria from the culture medium; and recovering enzyme activity from the culture medium, wherein said bacteria are a pure bacterial culture consisting of aerobic, Gram-negative, rod-shaped, obligate alkaliphilic bacteria having the following characteristics: a) form cream-colored, circular colonies; b) grow optimally between pH 9 and pH 10; c) give a positive response to the following tests:1) Leucine arylamidase 2) Valine arylamidase 3) Phosphohydrolase 4) Polymixin; d) give a negative response to the following tests:1) N-acetylglucosamine 2) Maltose 3) Propionate 4) Caprate 5) Valerate 6) Citrate 7) Histidine 8) Glycogen 9) 4-hydroxybenzoate 10) I-galactosidasewherein the enzyme has lipolytic activity.
 9. A substantially pure enzyme prepared by a method comprising:culturing bacteria in a culture medium; separating the bacteria from the culture medium; and recovering enzyme activity from the culture medium, wherein said bacteria are a pure bacterial culture consisting of aerobic, Gram-negative, rod-shaped, obligate alkaliphilic bacteria having the following characteristics: a) form cream-colored, circular colonies; b) grow optimally between pH 9 and pH 10; c) give a positive response to the following tests:1) Leucine arylamidase 2) Valine arylamidase 3) Phosphohydrolase 4) Polymixin; d) give a negative response to the following tests:1) N-acetylglucosamine 2) Maltose 3) Propionate 4) Caprate 5) Valerate 6) Citrate 7) Histidine 8) Glycogen 9) 4-hydroxybenzoate 10) I-galactosidasewherein the enzyme has an activity selected from the group consisting of proteolytic, lipolytic and starch degrading activities.
 10. A substantially pure enzyme prepared by a method comprising:culturing bacteria in a culture medium; separating the bacteria from the culture medium; and recovering enzyme activity from the culture medium, wherein said bacteria are a pure bacterial culture consisting of aerobic, Gram-negative, rod-shaped, obligate alkaliphilic bacteria having the following characteristics: a) form cream-colored, circular colonies; b) grow optimally between pH 9 and pH 10; c) give a positive response to the following tests:1) Leucine arylamidase 2) Valine arylamidase 3) Phosphohydrolase 4) Polymixin; d) give a negative response to the following tests:1) N-acetylglucosamine 2) Maltose 3) Propionate 4) Caprate 5) Valerate 6) Citrate 7) Histidine 8) Glycogen 9) 4-hydroxybenzoate 10) I-galactosidasewherein the enzyme has an activity selected from the group consisting of proteolytic, lipolytic and starch degrading activities.
 11. A substantially pure enzyme prepared by a method comprising:culturing bacteria in a culture medium; separating the bacteria from the culture medium; and recovering enzyme activity from the culture medium, wherein said bacteria are a pure bacterial culture consisting of aerobic, Gram-negative, rod-shaped, obligate alkaliphilic bacteria having the following characteristics: a) form cream-colored, circular colonies; b) grow optimally between pH 9 and pH 10; c) give a positive response to the following tests:1) Leucine arylamidase 2) Valine arylamidase 3) Phosphohydrolase 4) Polymixin; d) give a negative response to the following tests:1) N-acetylglucosamine 2) Maltose 3) Propionate 4) Caprate 5) Valerate 6) Citrate 7) Histidine 8) Glycogen 9) 4-hydroxybenzoate 10) I-galactosidasewherein the enzyme has an activity selected from the group consisting of proteolytic, lipolytic and starch degrading activities. 